The Scientific Method… continued
My 123s and I have been learning about the scientific method so that we can do our own mini science projects for the science fair at the beginning of March. As a class, reviewed the components of the scientific method and addressed the materials and the procedure (3 tests) for the experiment we did this morning on the force magnetism.
Our big question: Is the force of magnetism strong enough to travel through things?
The class was divided into three groups, with each group composed of grade 1, 2, and 3 students. While the mini science lessons were taking place the rest of the class was in a ‘work period’, quietly working on their fairy tale compositions. Before beginning the three tests outlined in the procedure we first reviewed magnets and the concept of magnetism by sorting magnetic and non-magnetic items illustrated in the photo below.
The students were thoughtful about their predictions and used prior knowledge and our review of magnets to formulate their ideas. Students then performed each test in groups of 2 or 3 and recorded their observations by drawing or writing what they saw (or both).
We discussed the force of magnetism and how it is so strong that it is able to pull through non-magnetic materials; like the cardboard maze, the glass, plastic and wood. Magnetism even travels through water!
The students were amazed by the force of magnetism! They especially liked fishing the paperclips out of the glass of water using the magnet without getting wet!