Electricity and Magnetism for Ages 8-12: Build Circuits and Electromagnets

This four-session course introduces students ages 8 to 12 to the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism through short explanations, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiments. Students learn what electricity is, how charge and static electricity behave, and how electric current moves through circuits. They build and compare series and parallel circuits to see how components like bulbs behave when arranged differently. The course also examines magnetic forces, poles, fields, and how to identify magnetic versus nonmagnetic materials. Learners test common objects and observe attraction and repulsion with bar magnets. In the final session students explore the connection between electricity and magnetism by building a simple electromagnet: wrapping wire around a nail and using a battery to make a temporary magnet that can pick up paperclips. Each class pairs short, clear science concepts with demonstrations you can repeat at home or in the classroom. Demonstrations include rubbing a balloon to show static charge, using paper bits to show attraction and repulsion, constructing series and parallel circuits with small bulbs, comparing brightness and behavior when a bulb is removed, testing objects with magnets, and making and testing an electromagnet. The course focuses on observation, asking questions, and making connections to everyday technology. It is aimed at elementary and early middle school students (grades 3 through 6) and does not assume prior experience. Notebook and pencil time is integrated for predictions and reflections. Safety guidance is provided for all activities involving batteries, wires, and small parts.