Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn how to make a compass using some simple materials. A compass is a tool that helps you find your way by pointing north. People have used compasses for thousands of years to explore the world. Let’s find out how you can make one yourself!
To make your own compass, you’ll need:
Make sure you have a grownup to help you with this project!
Here’s how you can make your compass:
The reason your compass works is because the needle becomes a magnet when you rub it with another magnet. Magnets have two ends, called poles: a north pole and a south pole. The Earth is like a giant magnet with its own magnetic poles. The Earth’s magnetic poles pull on the poles of your needle, making it point north.
Even though it might seem confusing, the Earth’s north magnetic pole is actually in the south, and its south magnetic pole is in the north. This is why the north pole of your needle points north!
Using a compass can help you find your way without getting lost. It’s a handy tool for exploring and taking shortcuts. Now that you know how to make one, you can try it out next time you’re on an adventure!
Thanks for learning with us today! If you want to keep having fun and learning new things, be sure to join us again. See you next time!
Magnet Hunt: Go on a magnet hunt around your house or classroom! Find different objects and guess if they are magnetic or not. Use a magnet to test your guesses. Make a list of the items that are magnetic and those that are not. Discuss why you think some objects are magnetic while others are not.
Compass Adventure: Use your homemade compass to go on a mini adventure! Choose a starting point and use your compass to find north. Once you know which way is north, try to find other directions like south, east, and west. Draw a simple map of your adventure, marking the directions you traveled.
Question Time: Think about these questions and discuss them with a friend or family member:
