National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Making a Compass
A well illustrated activity where students make a simple compass. Includes facts about compasses.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Drawing Field Lines
A well illustrated activity where students investigate and draw the magnetic field lines created with a bar magnet and a compass.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Northward Ho!
In this activity, students will create their own simple compass, be able to explain how a compass works, understand that the Earth's magnetic field has both horizontal and vertical components, and learn more about cardinal directions.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Find Your Own Direction
In this activity, students create their own simple compass using thread, needle and water in a bowl - and learn how it works.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Where Is Your Teacher?
In this activity, students will learn how to take bearing with a compass. They will also learn how to describe a bearing and find an object in their classroom using a bearing.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Topos, Compasses, and Triangles, Oh My!
In this activity, students will learn how to actually triangulate using a compass, topographical (topo) map and view of outside landmarks. It is best if a field trip to another location away from school is selected. The location should...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Where Is Here?
In this instructional activity, young scholars are shown the very basics of navigation. The concepts of relative and absolute location, latitude, longitude and cardinal directions are discussed, as well as the use and principles of a map...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Topo Map Mania!
Maps are designed to allow people to travel to a new location without a guide to show the way. They tell us information about areas to which we may or may not have ever been. There are many types of maps available for both recreational...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Getting to the Point
In this lesson plan, students learn how to determine location by triangulation. We describe the process of triangulation and practice finding your location on a worksheet, in the classroom, and outdoors.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Lesson Plan: Map Trap
Lesson to reinforce maps skills and concepts. Students map locations around their school and use world maps to locate major landmarks.
Read Works
Read Works: Electric and Magnetic Forces and the Modern Day Compass
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about how a compass works using electromagnetic force. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Magnetic Fields and Compass Orientation
Simulate the creation of an induced magnetic field through the use of a simple electric circuit. An interactive demonstration is included.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Magnetism
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the basic concepts and vocabulary of magnetism.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Compasses in Magnetic Fields
Experiment with the compass in this tutorial to see how it responds to magnetic fields.
Mangahigh
Mangahigh: Shape: Use Compass Directions
Test your knowledge of navigating with a compass.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Ph Et: Interactive Simulation: Magnets and Electromagnets
Move a bar magnet or an electromagnet around to see how the magnetic fields change. Requires Java.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Magnetism: Magnetic Field Interactive
Students explore the magnetic field surrounding a simple bar magnet. They can drag the compass around in the space surrounding the bar magnet, and observe the effect of the magnet on the compass needle.
Mathigon
Mathigon: Euclidean Geometry: Geometric Construction
This lesson focuses on the history of geometric construction beginning with Euclid's Axioms to the simple tools such as the straight edge and the compass.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Abu Ali Al Husain Ibn Abdallah Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Good article on Ibn Sina (Avicenna), who is known for his scholarly studies and contributions to several academic fields and his written works, which include an autobiography. This article focuses on his influences in the areas of math...
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Keep Your Own Weather Journal
This site, which is provided for by the Franklin Institute Online, gives a format for keeping a weather journal.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Cardinal Directions and Maps
What are the cardinal directions and how are they used? Discover them and practice using them to find places on maps.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Physical Science: Earth as a Magnet
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at the Earth as a magnet and how Earth's magnetism benefits living things.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: Resources: Age of Exploration
Scroll to the bottom of this page to access activity resources and lesson plans that encourage students to explore an understand the practicalities and difficulties involved in sailing to new places during the Age of Exploration.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Make Your Own Compass
Students create their own magnetic compass.