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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

How do magnets work?

This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology. This resource focusses on identifying whether or not everyday products are made from magnetic materials.
Some products are made from magnetic materials, whereas others are not. Can you find out which is which?

In this activity learners will predict whether they think different products are magnetic based on the material that each product is made from. They will then test their theory by using magnets, to see whether or not each product is attracted to a magnet.

This could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focussing on magnets and magnetism.

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