How do you make the strongest electromagnet? Does it get stronger when you add more wraps? What can it pick up? Answer these questions, and more, with this attractive activity!
Activity packs come with everything you’ll need for your magnet – just supply a battery. Wrapping your magnets has never been easier – aluminum wire is a game changer bending and holding shape better than any other. The included Go Guide gets kids started and leads kids to experiment with their magnets, testing their strength as they change the number of wraps. Add optional challenges or labs to get kids engaged and investigating like never before. This activity is sure to pull kids in!
Scroll down to "Things You'll Need" for more info.
Age Range
Customize this activity for the highlighted ages with tons of free labs and challenges!
This is an educational product and not a toy. Adult supervision is required.
Check out the Electromagnetic Crane 2.0 for a more challenging electromagnet activity.
Videos
Documents
Click on the flowchart to view documents from each category.
Go Guide:
Give it to your students and go! This is the essential document to get students started with constructing your Electromagnet, culminating in the Clip-Hanger Challenge.
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Go Guide: PDF | DOCX |
Start here! Build and experiment with your Electromagnet, then begin the Clip-Hanger Challenge! |
Labs:
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Magnetic Materials Lab: PDF | DOCX |
Test different materials to see which are magnetic and which are not. Ages 8+. |
Challenges:
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Clip-Hanger Challenge: |
These challenges are embedded right in the Go Guide! You don't need to download any extra documents. |
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Stack-It Challenge: |
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Washer-Hanger Challenge: |
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Engineering Notebooks: Simple Version Full Version |
Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities. |
Other Resources:
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STEM Rubric: PDF | DOCX |
Use the STEM Rubric to assess any TeacherGeek project. |
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STEAM Market-It Challenge: PDF | DOCX |
Add the STEAM Market-It Challenge to any completed TeacherGeek activity to teach students how to turn their TeacherGeek design into a retail product. Students will learn the 4 'Ps' of marketing - Product, Placement, Price and Promotion. Students have the option of completing a commercial, a billboard or retail packaging as a summative assessment. |
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Engineering Notebooks: Simple Version Full Version |
Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities. |
Things You'll Need
You're going to need some stuff, but don't sweat it! You probably have it already.
Click a tab below to choose how you will complete this activity - that determines what you'll need.
You're in the right tab!
TeacherGeek Tools
optional
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
optional
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
optional
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- AA Battery (To power your electromagnet)
- Optional Items (for Clip-Hanger Challenge on Page 5 of Go Guide)
- 12 Paperclips
- Tape
- Cup
You're in the right tab!
TeacherGeek Tools
optional
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
optional
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
optional
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- Aluminum Wire Roll (if you purchased your Maker Cart before summer 2021)
- AA Battery (To power your electromagnet)
- Optional Items (for Clip-Hanger Challenge on Page 5 of Go Guide)
- 12 Paperclips
- Tape
- Cup
You're in the right tab!
Make sure you have the right components - check the Go Guide (see above).
TeacherGeek Tools
optional
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
optional
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
optional
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- AA Battery (To power your electromagnet)
- Optional Items (for Clip-Hanger Challenge on Page 5 of Go Guide)
- 12 Paperclips
- Tape
- Cup
Activity Pack Components
What comes with the Electromagnet Activity?
The table shows what comes in each single kit. To see what comes in a 10-pack, just multiply by 10.| Component | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
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#10 Washer | 10 |
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#10 50mm Screw | 1 |
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AA Single Battery Holder | 1 |
 |
Perpendicular Block | 1 |
 |
Wire Roll | 1 |
Science, Math & Engineering Standards
TeacherGeek products fit proposals, grants or lesson plans with ease! Explore more resources below:
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NGSS Standards Spreadsheet: PDF | DOCX |
NGSS standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities. |
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ITEEA Standards Spreadsheet: PDF | DOCX |
ITEEA standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities. |