1) The core of the Earth is over 5,000 degrees celsius and is made up of iron. The iron is magnetic so the world is really a giant magnet and that’s why we have a North and South Pole.
2) Explorers use magnets in compasses to point to the North Pole. Once you get a fix on the North, then you know which way is South, East and West.
3) Chinese sailors were the earliest people to use a compass, around 1,000 years ago. However pigeons have been using the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate for millions of years!
The World of Energy programme is a 1-day primary school STEM workshop for children in Years 5 or 6.
‘Magnets’ is the sixth activity in the day where the children in teams of 5 to 6 experiment with magnetic force fields with iron filings suspended in oil and explore how electric currents effect a compass.
To find out more or to book a World of Energy workshop email us at hello@letslearnenergy.co.uk
