Middle School Science / 8th Grade
Magnet Mission
How can we use magnetic forces to power a fun teaching toy?
After observing how a simple electric train can be created with copper wire, batteries, and magnets – the anchoring phenomenon of this unit – students learn about the principles underlying magnetism and electricity. They engage in the engineering design cycle as they work in small groups to devise and build a fun magnetic toy which the students then use to teach a chosen target audience about magnetic and/or electromagnetic forces. The unit ends with a Toy Expo to show off their magnetic toys, ideally including members of their target audiences.
Unit length: 5 weeks (25 hours)
”"I'm in the 10th grade. I love reading. I love skateboarding and recently I've learned to love coming to school."
Caleb, Student
