Lesson 4: Is this the strongest magnet?

This Year 3 magnet strength investigation challenges pupils to find out which magnet is strongest by planning and carrying out a comparative fair test. Pupils compare different types of magnets, make predictions and investigate how many paper clips each magnet can attract.

The lesson supports the Year 3 Science National Curriculum requirement to observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others. It also develops Working Scientifically skills through setting up a practical enquiry, understanding variables, carrying out a fair test and using results to draw simple conclusions.

How can we test the strength of a magnet?

Pupils compare different types of magnets, such as bar, disc, horseshoe and U-shaped magnets. They identify the variables in their investigation and learn that only one variable should be changed to make the test fair. Each magnet is tested three times by measuring how many paper clips it can pick up, with pupils recording their results and considering whether their original prediction was correct.

What’s included in this Year 3 magnet investigation?

• Launchable teaching slides for whole-class teaching
• Detailed lesson plan with National Curriculum and Working Scientifically coverage, teacher knowledge, vocabulary, misconceptions and assessment
• Year 3 sticky note investigation sheet for identifying variables
• Recording sheet for the magnet strength investigation
• Practical fair test comparing the strength of different magnets
• Prediction, repeated testing and results activities
• Continuous provision and challenge ideas

Explore the full Year 3 Forces and Magnets resources, or explore our Year 3 science scheme of work and resources.