Learning Performance - Magnets

There are many ways to prove that iron is attracted to magnets, or experiments students could conduct as part of their learning performance. One of these methods involves having a variety of objects on a table with a small magnet. There should be a variety of substances - wood, plastic, cotton, non-iron metals, etc. However, there should be one sample of pure iron and at least one sample of a small household object with iron in it (ex. an iron nail).

Split the students up into groups or by table and supply each table with all of these objects. Have each group or individual make predictions about which substances will be picked up by a small magnet when held over the objects. Make sure each student writes a brief explanation as to why they chose which answers they chose.

At the tables, hold the magnet over each object, one at a time. Record the results on the same sheet of paper that the predictions were written on, so that comparisons can be made. After the results have been recorded, students reflect on the experiment. What answers did they predict correctly, and which ones did they predict incorrectly? Why, in their opinion, did the magnet pick up certain objects but not others? Do the objects that the magnet picked up have something in common? Give students plenty of time to collaborate with their groups or write their responses individually. If a student reflects on the experiment and ends up with more questions or variables that could inspire another experiment, encourage him or her to go home and test the experiment, and then report back to the class with their findings.