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.
Includes statements from Development Matters (birth to age five) and the relevant ELGs.
Play, Be, C 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.
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework: accessed November 2024. Available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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.
We have designed these STEM-focused questions to use alongside the questioning you would usually use when reading a story.
These adult led activities and provocations will support the introduction of the robotics engineer career to the children in your setting.
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.
https://nustem.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220309_102819-scaled.jpg
1920
2560
Melanie Horan
https://nustem.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/logo-banner.png
Melanie Horan2022-06-08 10:20:452025-03-12 15:30:38Make a magnet mazeThis is a link to the instructions for a related family STEM story time activity. This is an opportunity to introduce STEM ideas and activities to parents, carers and other family members in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
https://nustem.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Magnetic-and-non-magnetic-scaled.jpg
1920
2560
Melanie Horan
https://nustem.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/logo-banner.png
Melanie Horan2025-03-12 13:06:122025-03-12 15:48:05Magnet engineer family story time
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.
You can download our magnet engineer poster to use in your setting.
