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AskERIC Lesson Plans: Physical Sciences

The above link is to AskEric's Physical Science page if you wish to browse/search their site yourself. Or, use the links below to go directly to two lesson plans specifically about magnetism.

• Magnetic Fields and Bermuda Triangles High school students can use this activity to learn how to map a magnetic field and to find how magnetic fields can combine to form a complex resultant field.
  
• Magnets An introduction to magnets for primary students.

Electricity and Magnetism

More than a dozen experiments on electricity and magnetism designed for intermediate students. There are about five experiments on magnetism.

Electricity and Magnetism

The basic concepts of electricity and magnetism are illustrated through the use of animation. (Shockwave required) Students are introduced to static charge, moving charge, voltage, resistance, and current. Magnetism and how it relates to electricity is also presented.

Gallery of Electromagnetic Personalities

Biographical vignettes of scientists who made significant contributions to the study of electromagnetism.

How An Electromagnet Works

An explanation about the concepts underlying electromagnetism created for kids and complete with diagrams. A few experiments are also suggested.

MagLev: A Physics Viewpoint

MagLev (magnetic levitation) technology is the concept underlying research into the use of magnets to propel trains. This site presents the basic principles of the concepts which should be understandable by high school students.

MagLev Technology

The Argonne Community of Teachers Network offers a downloadable Teacher's Handbook with student activities on magnetism and electromagnetism. The site also has links to other MagLev web sites.

Magnetism

Here's a lesson on magnetism complete with a mini quiz, homework exercises, and a test.

Magnetism, Electricity and Health Reform

An overview of the use of electricity and magnetism in the treatment of disease.

Magnet Man

All sorts of experiments with magnets from the very basic to magnets interacting with other magnets, magnets and conductors, and magnetic levitation.

National Museum of Science and Technology

This Canadian museum is not easily browsed; however, a search of the site using the keyword "magnet" turned up a number of hits that may be useful to the classroom teacher. Use the button above to search the site yourself for this or similar terms. Below are direct links to three of the best resources.

• Background Information for Magnets
  
• Lesson Plan Ideas - Magnets
  
• Student Activities

Physical Science Activity Manual

This Manual contains hands-on Chemistry & Physics activities that can be downloaded in either MAC (MS WORD) or Windows (Wordperfect) versions. The manual is neither a lab manual nor a series of lesson plans. Rather, it provides the teacher with background information and a collection of student-centered activities which s/he can adapt to local conditions. There are two documents dealing with magnetism and electromagnetism.

Project PHYSLab

Project PHYSLab has a collection of high school physics labs (including some on Magnetism) developed by participants in an annual, three week workshop. This link is to the home page of the project. From there, enter "Labs Available Online" to find the labs. Since each of these is done by a different teacher, the quality of the lab and the detail associated with it will vary.

Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids

The author of this online book describes a variety of science toys that can be constructed and then goes on to explain the concepts behind the toys. Two chapters in the book are dedicated to magnetism and electromagnetism. Teachers could use these ideas for demonstrations and/or student activities.

Smile Program Physics Index

Teachers participating in the SMILE (Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement) summer session programs each create a single concept lesson plan. This database has over 30 lesson plans in their section on Electricity and Magnetism. Caution: Since there is a wide number of authors who have contributed to the database, the detail and quality of the lesson plans will vary.

Snacks about Magnetism

"Snacks" from the Exploratorium are miniature science exhibit that teachers can make using common, inexpensive, easily available materials. This page leads to about a dozen activities/experiments to demonstrate magnetism concepts.

Note: The sites listed above will serve as a source of curricular content in Magnetism. For other resources in Science (e.g., curricular content in Earth Science, General Science, Life Science, or Physical Science), or for lesson plans and theme pages, click the "previous screen" button below. Or, click here if you wish to return directly to the CLN menu which will give you access to educational resources in all of our subjects.