Students can see a magnetic field visually by creating a 3D field viewer. Fill a bottle with mineral oil, such as baby oil. Pour 2 tbsp. of iron shavings or 2 tbsp. of steel wool shavings into the bottle. Use a chopstick to stir the mixture well. Place a magnet against the bottle. You can use any type of magnet. The shavings will arrange themselves into a three-dimensional pattern.
Students can turn simple 1.5 volt batteries into an electromagnet by connecting wire to them in a specific way. Wrap fine copper wire around a nail at least 50 times. Make sure that there is at least 6 inches of wire hanging loose on either side of the nail. Place one end of the wire against the negative end of a 1.5 volt battery, and tape it there. Place the other end of the wire against the base of a knife switch, which can be purchased at any electronics store. Secure the wire there with tape. Place the end of a second piece of copper wire against the positive end of the battery, and tape it there. Connect the other end of the second wire to the negative end of a second 1.5 volt battery, taping it there. Place the end of a third piece of copper wire against the positive end of the second battery, and tape it there. Place the other end of the third wire to the other side of the knife switch, and tape it there. This will complete the circuit of the electromagnet and will cause the knife switch to begin tapping.
Student will enjoy trying to make a long chain of paper clips using only magnetism. Instruct each student to hold a magnet in her hand, then place a single paper clip against the magnet at its tip. The paper clip will become "stuck" to the magnet by magnetic force. Have the student continue to add more and more paper clips, placing them against each other tip to tip. Students can have a contest to see who can create the longest chain.