Magnetic or Non-magnetic Simple STEM Activity

Magnets are objects that have an unusual ability to attract and repel certain materials. Magnets have two poles that are called the north pole and the south pole. The poles are areas near the opposite ends of a magnet where the magnetic force is the strongest. The area of space near a magnet where the magnet exerts force is called the magnetic field. Magnets are useful in lots of ways. Their attractive properties are used to stick things on other objects like refrigerators. They are also used to help power speakers in stereos and store data in computers.

In addition, the force generated by the attractive pull or repulsive push of magnets can be used to help move objects from one place to another.

In this activity, your task is to use your magnet to test whether different objects are magnetic or non-magnetic. Magnetic objects will attract to the magnet and non-magnetic objects will not. Try out different objects from around your house and see which ones are magnetic or non-magnetic.