Where does a compass find it’s magic? Science! This simple activity not only gives a glimpse into the natural world, but it’s also a useful tool that everyone would benefit from knowing how to make!
MATERIALS:
A bowl, water, a needle, a piece of buoyant material (craft foam, a small piece of cork or a small piece of wax paper), a magnet
TIME FRAME:
15 – 60 minutes
PROCEDURE:
- Carefully run your needle back and forth across your magnet to magnetize it (at least 50 times).
- Fill your bowl with about 1 inch of water.
- Push your needle through your buoyant material so that it lies in the middle of the needle, then place it into the bowl.
- Your needle will face due north! You have created a compass!
REFLECTION:
How can you test your compass to ensure it is pointing in the right direction? How could a compass be helpful in your daily life? Who might use a compass as a part of their career?
CONNECTIONS:
A compass is a precision instrument designed specifically for navigation. The compass uses a magnetized pointer to determine directions in relation to the earth’s magnetic poles.
TIDBITS:
Written records indicate that the first magnetic compasses were used by the Chinese as early as 1100 a.d. Early compasses consisted of a piece of lodestone on a piece of wood, a cork, or a reed floating in a bowl of water.
TIPS & IMAGININGS:
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- Create a scavenger hunt using your compass that you can then implement with your friends or family (take 5 steps north, then 13 steps west, etc.). The prize at the end can include anything you’d like!
- Imagine what it used to be like before compasses…how do you think people found their way without getting lost all the time?
xoxo,
M
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I have to do this with my son!! Great idea!
Glad you like it! It really is a fun activity to complete! You can see children’s little wheels turning as they begin to understand how it all works!
This is great! I have to do this with my kids. Thanks.
You’re welcome! It’s super quick and super fun 🙂 Enjoy!