Science Project: How to Make a Compass

Create a homemade compass for a science project

Creating a compass can be a simple and fun experiment that can be used for a science project to teach young students about magnetism and paramagnetic compounds. You can make a fully functioning compass using inexpensive household items, such as a sewing needle, wine cork and glass of water. Once the needle is magnetized using a bar magnet or thick refrigerator magnet, you can show how the iron within the needle aligns with the magnetic field produced by the earth.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch long sewing needle
• Small bar magnet
• Scissors
• Wine cork
• Glass cup or bowl

Instructions

1. Rub a 1-inch sewing needle across a small bar magnet. Move the needle over the magnet a couple of times in the same direction.

2. Cut off the end of a regular wine cork using scissors so that you have a small circular piece of the cork.

3. Pierce the sewing needle through the side of the cork piece so that it goes through entire circle. Leave room for the needle to be seen on both ends.

4. Fill a glass cup or bowl halfway with water and make sure there is room to drop the cork into it. Place the cork with the needle onto the surface of the water.

5. Move the cup around to see the direction change. You can now use the needle in the cup as a compass.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use a metallic cup or bowl or the experiment won't work properly.

References

• MadSci Network: Making a Compass
• Home Science Tools: Compass Activities