Materials
Two metal paper clips Poster board, one piece
Marker Two block magnets
Instructions
1. The teacher makes a line with the marker 1" (2.
5 cm) from the top and bottom edges on both sides of the poster board. The class sits on one side of the board and two children sit behind it as the teacher holds it up.
2. The two children hold their magnets at the bottom start line and the teacher places the two paper clips on the other side of the poster so that they are held in place by the magnets.
3. On the count of three the two racers move their magnets up to the finish line on the top as fast as they can without dropping the paper clips. The first one up wins the race. The children on the other side cheer on as they watch the paper clips move up as if by magic. Choose two new contestants each time and let each child have a turn.
4. Ask how the paper clips move and then explain how the magnets held on the back move the clips around.More to doMore science: Ask the children to choose a few things from around the classroom and see if these things will be attracted to the magnet. You can give the children various metal things and allow them to experiment on their own.
