Play, Be, C: The Magnet Engineer
Resources and activities themed around a STEM job, to build language and understanding around the world of work.
Overview
Magnetic engineers design magnets, or machines and devices that contain magnets. Magnets are in many of the systems that make modern life possible. For example they are used in computer data storage, alarm systems, microphones and speakers, motors, electrical generators and transformers.
Magnet engineers are:
Curious about how they can use magnets in different machines.
Creative when they use magnets in their designs.
Observant as they look closely at what magnets can do.
Early Learning Goals links
- Mathematics ELG: Numerical Patterns
- Understanding the World ELG: Past and Present
- Understanding the World ELG: People, Culture and Communities
- Understanding the World ELG: The Natural World
- Expressive Arts and Design ELG: Creating with Materials
Characteristics of effective learning
Our EYFS units provide enabling environments with teaching and support from adults. Reflecting on the characteristics of effective teaching and learning, children will have opportunity to learn and develop by:
• playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things
Taken from Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
© Crown copyright 2023 licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Book
Our suggested book for this Unit is No-Bot the Robot with No Bottom by Sue Hendra, illustrated by Paul Linnet.
You can find out more about the book at the publisher’s page, and the Google Books page will link you to retailers and local libraries.
Download questions for No-Bot the Robot With No Bottom here.
Activities
These adult led activities and provocations will support the introduction of the robotics engineer career to the children in your setting.
Find No-Bot’s Bottom adult led activity
Discover that magnets are attracted to metal by finding the correct bottom for the robot.
Pulls and pushes adult led activity
Investigate how magnets can both pull (attract) and push (repel) each other.
Magnetic fishing adult led activity
Investigate magnets by making this fishing game.
Magnetic or non-magnetic provocation
Challenge the children to sort magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
Magnet art provocation
Challenge the children to create a work of art using magnets and metal.
Magnet track provocation
Challenge the children to move a magnetic object around a track without touching it.
STEM at home activities
We have included these links to our related STEM at home activities. These could be sent out for families to try at home, or run in school at a family session.
Visit our STEM at home Magnet Maze page.
Resources
You can download our magnet engineer poster to use in your setting.
Magnetic engineers design magnets, or machines and devices that contain magnets. Magnets are in many of the systems that make modern life possible. For example they are used in computer data storage, alarm systems, microphones and speakers, motors, electrical generators and transformers.
Electricity generation relies on magnets to create and electric current, and magnets are used in transformers in the National Grid to transfer the electricity around the country. Some vending machines use magnets to differentiate coins from other material to prevent theft.
Large electromagnets are used in construction and at junkyards to move materials. They are also used to suspend and accelerate maglev trains.
Magnets are also used in MRI scanners in hospitals which helps to produce detailed three dimensional images of inside the body.
After a magnet has been designed, magnet engineers define manufacturing processes and testing strategies, then analyse test results, and present them in the form of operating instructions and manuals.
