Summary Students make a bridge of paper clips between two magnets. The materials can be used as a free experimentation activity. Science content Physics: Motion and Forces, Newton’s Laws, Gravity (K, 2, 6) Science competencies (+ questioning + manipulation + others that are in every activity) Questioning/predicting: predicting (1 up), hypothesizing (7) Planning/conducting: measuring (non-standard K up, standard 2 up) Planning/conducting: planning investigations (3 up) Processing/analyzing: comparing observations with predictions (1 up) Evaluating: inferring (3 up) Lessons activity is in Magnet stations Materials Two magnets per student 20 or so paper clips per student, or better small nails (which can't be hooked together) Procedure Students make a bridge out of paper clips/nails between two magnets. What is the longest bridge you can make? Does it help to have the paper clips/nails piled up or in single file? Discussion: See that magnetic force can pass through the paper clips. Some metals can become magnets and attract another metal. Grades taught Gr 1 Gr 2
