Magnetism - Presentation

The interactive presentation on Magnetism is an engaging resource designed to introduce Year 6 students to the intriguing world of magnetic forces. It begins with key objectives that aim to enhance students' understanding of magnetism as an invisible, non-contact force that operates at a distance. The presentation delves into the fundamental properties of magnets, including the presence of two poles—North and South—and the basic principles of attraction and repulsion between like and unlike poles. Students are encouraged to explore which materials are magnetically responsive and to predict the interactions between magnets based on pole orientation. Additionally, the lesson includes an investigation to classify materials according to their magnetic properties.

Through a narrative involving a character named Olivia, the lesson offers a relatable context for learning about magnetism, including the Earth's magnetic field and its role in phenomena such as the Northern Lights. The presentation also covers practical experiments, such as the Gauss Gun demonstration, which illustrates the increasing magnetic force as objects move closer to a magnet. Students learn about the varying strengths of different magnets and how these strengths are influenced by the magnets' materials and sizes. Furthermore, the presentation includes an investigation into the effect of magnetism on objects with different masses, reinforcing the concept that magnet strength can move objects without direct contact. The lesson concludes with a series of questions to assess students' comprehension and retention of the key concepts of magnetism.