Developing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Skills: THE STUDY OF MAGNETIC FORCE

Johnson Elementary Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) Project

GRADE 4

In Science class, grade 4 students learn about:

The Force of Magnetic Attraction

Magnetic Attraction

• How can the strength of the force of attraction between two magnets be measured?

• How does the distance between two magnets effect the strength of the force of attraction?

FOSS Activity:Investigation 1: The Force, Part 3: Breaking the Force

Students in grade 4 investigated the strength of the force of attraction by graphing data to look for patterns of interaction.

Students use a balance and large washers to measure the force of attraction between two magnets.

They learn what happens to the force of attraction as the distance between the two magnets increases.

Students graph their results.

Student Work

Student Work

Engineering is Elementary

In Engineering lab, grade 4 students learn about:

The Force of Magnetic Repulsion

Magnetic Repulsion

• How can you make one magnet levitate above the other?

• Why are the magnets levitating?

• Why do you think adding more magnets affects how high they levitate?

Engineering is Elementary activity:Lesson 3, A magnetic personality

Students in grade 4 engineering lab learned that increasing the magnetic field can intensify the magnetic forces of repulsion. They learn that non-magnetic materials do no affect magnetic fields.

Students observe, test and record results of levitating magnets.

Students use a ruler to measure the height of the top of the magnet(s) above the table.

Students list three properties of magnets they observed during the magnetic levitation investigation and explain how each property helped levitate the magnets.

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Information and Resources Johnson Elementary MSAP Project Support Contact:

MSAP Coordinator Michelle Bryant Magnet Resource Teacher mbryant1@sandi.net

Curriculum & Planning & Tech Support Reba Gordon Matthews Computer Lab Teacher/ Site Ed. Tech/ NASA Explorer School Team Leader rmatthews@sandi.net

Science Cheryl Tobin Science Lab Teacher ctobin@sandi.net

Engineering Marisa Ramirez Engineering Lab Teacher mramirez1@sandi.net

Technical Support Steve Harris Site Network Technician sharris4@sandi.net

Technology Supplies/Resources Supplied by MSAP

•Teacher MAC Laptop•Digital Camera•Flashdrives•Computer Lab Computers•Classroom Printer•Engineering Lab