This natural science lesson introduces magnets and magnetic properties through games and activities. Because some FasTracKids classes are located in areas of high humidity, some of the experiments may not work as well as shown on the Learning Station. Use this opportunity to discuss this factor and talk about different climates and how they determine many things, including static electricity. This lesson requires a large number of supplies, but all are easy to obtain and can be kept for other lessons or uses.
Note - when discussing magnets, if a large magnet is used, remember to keep it away from the computer.

"Setting the Stage" - Before starting the program, ask the students: Do you use magnets at home? How? Have you ever felt a shock when you've touched a doorknob?

"Magnets and Static Electricity"
Hands-on activity - As the lesson is introduced, students are encouraged to think like scientists. To emphasize this, students color and create their official FasTracKids science name tags. As they create their nametags, talk about what scientists do and why.

"Magnets in Our Daily Lives"
To start the lesson, magnets are shown as they are used in our daily lives.
Touch-screen game - a variety of items are presented on the Learning Station. Students are instructed to decide whether they think each item is magnetic or not. This will give the teacher an idea as to how many children already understand magnets. Because some of the answers are quite obvious, it is a good opportunity to encourage the shy or new child to use the Learning Station.

"Magnet Experiment"
Hands-on experiment - The items listed at the end of this page are listed in the narration. Other items may be used as determined by the teacher. Provide a good variety to create an enriching experiment. Divide the class into teams or pairs. As instructed by the narration, students put the items into two separate piles, classifying them as magnetic or not magnetic. Emphasize to students that they are classifying objects in a scientific manner. This is also reinforced by the Learning Station narration.

"Magnetic Force"
Touch-screen - This game on the Learning Station reinforces what the students have just learned during their experiment, as well as the concept of classifying. Students choose which items are magnetic and which are not.

"Create Your Own Action Figures"
Hands-on activity - This activity encourages students to work as a team and use their imagination, as well as creativity and presentation skills. Divide the class into two groups if it is a small class, or four groups for a larger class. The "A" group will draw a rainbow (as instructed on the Learning Station) on a large piece of stiff paper or poster board. The "B" group will color the action figures (paper dolls/characters) and attach large paper clips to their bodies. As they are coloring and creating, students should decide upon a simple story to tell about their characters. The teacher may want to give some guidelines if the children have difficulty, such as what their characters are doing, how do they feel about the rainbow, etc. Do not restrict the story to a rainbow, though, as some children may want spaceships or animals in their story. When they have completed their story and art projects, they will present their stories to the rest of the class. Using the magnets (make sure they are strong magnets) on the back of the poster board, move the characters with the paper clips on the front of the poster board to create 'action'. These instructions are given in the narration with an example. This sounds more complicated than it is, and children loved the process during field testing, so review the disk prior to class time to determine how many groups will work best for your class.

"Magnetic Force in Your Own Body"
A video clip demonstrates how static electricity occurs in our bodies. This can be recreated by the class if the teacher desires, but health concerns should be a consideration. Also, as the narration indicates, some climates and hair textures will make this less effective.

"Pen and Wool Experiment"
Hands-on activity - Provide wool fabric (squares or pieces are sufficient) to rub a plastic pen across. As directed by the narration on the Learning Station, students rub plastic pens rapidly across the wool, then attempt to pick of the pieces of newspaper. Make sure the newspaper is in small pieces, similar to confetti. The students must follow the directions carefully as presented. Remind them that they are scientists. (this will make the teacher's job easier, too). Students enjoy this activity and should be encouraged to explain what they are discovering.
*Do not put the wool and paper away, as it will be used again shortly for another experiment.

"Scott and the Magnet"
A short story about Scott and his sister is presented to illustrate the damage a magnet can do, even though it cannot be seen. Encourage the students to listen to the story and answer the questions as presented.

"Magnetic Force Transfer"
Hands-on activity - using the large magnet and a pile of paperclips, follow the instructions given by the narration. This experiment will demonstrate how the magnetic force is transferred through a row of paper clips. The larger the magnet used, the easier the experiment is to conduct. This can be performed in groups, or as a demonstration by the teacher, depending on class size and time remaining.

"Balloon Experiment"
Hands-on activity - using the same bits of shredded newspaper and wool, another experiment is provided. Students rub the inflated balloons across the wool, similar to the pen experiment, and attempt to pick up the pieces of paper. The balloon will attract the pieces of paper.
Touch-screen activity - Many children already know what will happen if they rub their hair. This is presented in a short video image after it is activated by choosing the icon as directed by the narration. Encourage the students to listen to the narration carefully.
Videotaping activity - the activity to videotape is included at the end of this lesson so that the teacher can determine, if another would be preferred, which activity would be best for each individual class. This is a 'busy' lesson and a number of activities are provided that would create great videotaped presentations.

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
handout (provided on disk) of nametags to color and wear
scissors, markers
tape or safety pins to attach nametags
items for magnetic experiment:
small magnets crackers, cookies or other food item safety pins, nails, keys, paper clips pencils, plastic pens, toothpicks
large pieces of poster board or stiff paper to draw rainbow scenes
large paper clips (metal!)
cutouts of 'action' figures to color and attach clips
tape
a large magnet (optional, but a larger magnet makes the experiments easier)
smaller strong magnets (for students' use}
plastic pens, small squares or pieces of wool fabric, shredded pieces of newspaper
toy balloons
videotape