Museum of Science and Industry

About the Lab

Investigate the connection between electricity and magnetism by experimenting with how magnets work, creating a temporary magnet with an electrical current and assembling and testing electrical circuits. Students will also use a Van de Graaf generator and a ring tosser as they create and test hypotheses about magnets and electricity.

Students will make predictions, isolate variables, test their designs and tap into their previous knowledge of electricity and magnetism to build their understanding of electromagnetism.

After your session, explore the Science Storms exhibit, located in Allstate Court.

Grades: 4th - 6th
Capacity: 30 students
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $120
Offered Tuesday through Friday at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

Download the lab guide

• Charge! Electricity and Magnetism (PDF)

Illinois Learning Standards

The content of this lab aligns with the following Illinois Learning Standards:
4: A, B; 5: A, B, C; 7: C; 10: A, B; 11: A, B; 12: C; 13: A, B

Pre- and Post-Visit Activities

Build an Electric Motor
Convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to make a coil of wire spin.

Make a Circuit Board
See how electricity flows through a circuit that you build.

Additional Resources

Rader's Physics4Kids
www.physics4kids.com

"Electricity and Magnetism: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It," by William C. Robertson, published by NSTA Press