Building Electromagnets

In 3rd/4th science the students are building on previous investigation experiences to explore electromagnetism.  Today the students built electromagnets. An electromagnet is a magnet made using the flow of electricity through an insulated wire. The students used a circuit board, a steel rivet, wires, switches, and a cup of washers to build their electromagnets. As you can see in the pictures below the students very much enjoy the hands-on materials to explore science! 

   

The pictures above show the students building their electromagnets. The students start with twisting the electromagnet wire around the rivet, then connecting all the parts to form a circuit. 

The students tested their electromagnets by making sure the the rivet was only a magnet while the circuit is closed. The magnetism should be nonexistent when the switch is open. 

After the students were done building we discussed how they could make their electromagnets stronger. Students suggested using another D-cell battery. Tomorrow we will test their hypotheses to see if they work!