Clairbourn School: Magnets & Metal
Mrs. Conner’s Pre-Kindergarten class has been experimenting with magnets and metal pieces for the past two weeks. Students, at the science table station, are searching through a rice-filled bin with magnetic wands to find items hidden within that are attracted to the magnet.
This activity is teaching them about magnetic attraction, fields of magnetic force, and also allows students to practice their sorting skills based on the similar characteristics of the items they find.
To expand on this scientific learning, students were given the challenge to try and paint with magnets! Trays were placed up on blocks and a piece of paper was placed on the tray. Next, metal pieces (nuts, bolts, paper clips, ball bearings, washers, etc) covered in paint were dropped on to the paper. Underneath the tray, students dragged strong magnets across the base of the tray. The magnetic force grasped the metal pieces and students quickly discovered that wherever the magnet moved, so did the metal pieces!
Clairbourn School, 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel, (626) 286-3108 or visit www.clairbourn.org.
