Magnetism & Electricity
Grade Level: 4th

The Magnetism and Electricity module consists of five sequential investigations, each designed to introduce or reinforce concepts in physical science. The investigations provide opportunities for students to explore the natural and human-made worlds by observing and manipulating materials in focused settings using simple tools.

FOSS expects students to:

  • Observe the interaction of permanent magnets with a variety of common materials.
  • Discover that magnets display forces of attraction and repulsion.
  • Measure the change in force between two magnets as the distance between them changes.
  • Identify materials that are conductors and insulators.
  • Understand and construct simple open, closed, parallel, and series circuits.
  • Learn how to make an electromagnet.
  • Experience the relationship between the number of turns of wire around an electromagnet core and the strength of the magnetism.
  • Use their knowledge of electromagnets to make a telegraph.
  • Acquire vocabulary associated with magnetism and electricity.
  • Exercise language, math, and social studies skills in the context of magnetism and electricity investigations.
  • Develop and refine the manipulative skills required for making investigations in magnetism and electricity.
  • Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing.

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    Preparing Children Today for a World of Science Tomorrow!
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    Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
    Irvine, CA 92617
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