The Summer Science Club is a collection of fun kid friendly science experiments and STEM projects explained.
As school ends millions of kids are released from a strict schedule of learning and innovating. As a kid who grew up with a science teacher mom and an engineering dad I spent my summers doing science experiments and STEM projects. I came out of every summer with many new skills and knowledge of the world around me. Now, working with young kids at the library and babysitting kids, I teach these experiments to others.
A family vacation that is common with most families in New England is camping. Whether this is in the deep woods, in a campground, or “glamping” the want to spend time in nature is something I can see the appeal in. One of the events of camping is hiking. Most trails are marked pretty clearly but for some extra adventure some hikers like to adventure off the beaten path. A compass and a map are a necessity if you are going to do this because getting lost in the woods is a recipe for disaster. A compass is a tool that has been around for hundreds of years. Chinese scientists created the first compass in the 11th or 12th century. There are multiple types but the most common, and the one you can make yourself, is a magnetic compass. Compasses use the magnetic forces of the earth to point in the correct direction.
When you are lost in the woods or just using a compass for fun all work in the same way. The needle in the middle will always point north. The reason for this is because of the magnetic pull of the Earth. The center of the Earth is made out of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, both made of iron and nickel. The movement and the material of the core is what makes the two magnetic poles of the earth. The needle will point towards the north pole, or just around it.
The parts of a compass you can buy at a store is a little more complicated than one that you can make, which means it is more reliable. The compass that we can make is simple but still effective in showing the direction of the north.
The Materials
Foam or cork
Sewing Needle
Small magnet
Small bowl of water
Scissors
A real compass (optional)
The Steps
Cut a piece of foam to fit your needle, or cut a circle or cork. Both of these materials will work in the same way.
Lay your needle on the magnet and rub his back and forth in the same direction 20 times. This is to make your needle more magnetic.
Ask an adult for help to stick your needle all the way through the foam.
4. Float the needle in the water. This is your compass
The needle will start to turn to point north and south.
5. To test this palace a real compass next to the bowl and see both needles point in the same direction.
This may be slightly anti climatic but this homemade compass shows the way we learned how to utilize the Earth. Without this important invention many people would be lost in the woods and in the sea.
Works Cited
“Create a Compass | AMNH.” American Museum of Natural History, https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/create-a-compass2. Accessed 19 June 2024.
“Gyroscope | Definition, Physics, & Uses.” Britannica, 1 June 2024, https://www.britannica.com/technology/gyroscope. Accessed 19 June 2024.
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