Forces: Video playlist

A short animation shows two mice using fridge magnets to climb a fridge door to reach some cheese sitting on top of it. They cleverly use another magnet to help them escape from a waiting cat!

Students could discuss the tactics taken by the mice in this clip to reach the cheese and then escape the angry cat. They could be asked to identify the objects being used – magnets – and consider why this helped them. Students could then explore magnets and magnetic materials by testing objects to see which ones are magnetic. A collection of magnetic objects could then be shared with the class. Can students identify what makes an item magnetic? Can they now guess if an item is magnetic before testing with a magnet?

To provide greater challenge, students could experiment with magnetic pull and explore whether the force of magnetism is strong enough to travel through things. One possible experiment could involve drawing a maze on a piece of cardboard. Students could then try to guide a paper clip around the maze using a magnet placed underneath the cardboard. They could also explore whether a paper clip could be rescued from a glass of water using a magnet, but without getting it wet. Students should conclude that magnets pull on magnetic materials, iron, nickel or steel but can pull through non-magnetic materials such as cardboard, glass or plastic.

Challenge students to use what they have learned about magnetic forces to design a game. Students could work in groups to use magnets and magnetic materials to move items around a board, or stick items down, and hold them in position.