Project: Compass Making
This is the first activity I did with the teen moms. They were studying the poles in their science class, so this worked well with the lesson. The style of the base can vary, as well as the placement of the bamboo sticks. The needle must hang freely, without hitting anything.
Materials: Bamboo sticks; thread; needles; magnet; hot glue; thin wire; air- hardening clay.
Procedure: Have the students make a base out of the clay, any shape. Poke the bamboo sticks in the clay at an angle or make a space for the needle to hang. Glue or wire the bamboo to hold it together. Wrap the thin wire around the center of the needle with a loop at the top. With the thread, hang the needle from the bamboo through the wire loop. Rub the magnet on the needle for about a minute -- now the needle is magnetized and will point north.