Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Back > Share
How are magnets made?

How are magnets made?

Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
5
Why are these trees such weird shapes? What do you think? Look at the pictures for clues. What else do you see in the pictures? Hint: The trees were trimmed by people.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
5
Did you notice the power lines? Those carry electricity! People cut off tree branches near power lines so trees don’t get zapped like this! Electricity can make sparks, which can start fires.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
5
There’s always electricity flowing inside of the power lines. They’re
like tubes with electricity inside. Sometimes during storms, if the
cables break, you can see the electricity starting dangerous fires.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
4
Lightning is a form of electricity! Watch these lightning bolts in slow
motion. What shapes do you notice? After thinking about that, think
about this: If lightning hit the ground, what would it look like?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
4
Check it out! Lightning hit the ground in this golf course. What pattern do you notice in the grass?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
3
An artist is going to zap a piece of wood with electricity. What do you think it will look like when it’s zapped? (Never try this yourself.)
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
3
Watch as this piece of wood is zapped with electricity at its two corners. The electricity sets the wood on fire and it spreads. Check out the patterns that it makes! Look familiar?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
2
Maybe you’ve heard of electric eels before. And you may know that electricity can light up a light bulb. Here’s a strange question: Could you get an electric eel to light up a light bulb? How?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
2
A scientist put a FAKE human arm in a fish tank with an electric eel. The fake arm has a lot of light bulbs inside. Watch what happens as the eel jumps up and onto the arm!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
1
Electricity makes cool branching patterns when it hits things. Could you invent something for lightning to hit? Hint: Electricity likes to hit metal. (It’d be dangerous to really do this, but you can pretend!)
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
1
People have made metal suits for fun! That big round machine makes electricity, and it zaps the metal suit! (NEVER do this—t’s very, very dangerous. These people are trained scientists.)
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
1
A band called “ArcAttack” sometimes wears metal suits. Imagine
playing a guitar while being struck by lightning! (It doesn’t hurt them,
but only because the suits are special, built to be safe!)
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lesson narration:

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Forces & Magnets

Overview

In this mini-lesson, students dive into the fascinating world of magnets, where they learn how magnets can attract and repel, how they are made, and more!

Exploration

5 mins

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Forces & Magnets

Extend this lesson

Slow internet or video problems?