Which is the strongest Magnet? Senior Infants

SCIENCE: Energy: Magnetism

In Senior infants we investigated which magnetic is the strongest.

First we learned about pushing and pulling. We discovered when you push or pull you are using a force.  We investigated things around the classroom to see if we had to push or pull it. We pushed the buggy to make it move and we pulled the door open.

Next we investigated magnets. During free play the children really enjoyed experimenting with the magnets discovering which items “stuck” to the magnetic.  The children discovered that magnets have two opposite sides called poles.  

Miss O'Meara told us that the invisible thing that is trying to pull the magnets together (to attract) and trying push the magnets apart (to repel) is called a “force”. It’s a force like the one used in pushing and pulling!  But this one is a bit different and is called a “magnetic force”.

The children conducted experiments to see what a magnet will attract the most paper clips. 

Predictions.
First we discussed which of the magnets would we think would be the strongest? 

The children predicted the largest magnetic would be the strongest.

Our predictions in order from strongest to the weakest.

Our prediction

Outcomes and findings/ Links to maths.

We counted up how many paperclips were stuck to each magnet.

We discovered that the smaller magnet was actually the strongest because it held more paperclips.

Our result

Then we recorded our results  in a pictogram.