Activity One Students: Create a Compass

Instructions for Students

Two types of compasses are included in this activity. The box compass is more complicated and requires more materials than the water compass. A water compass can easily be made during a class period.

Create a Box Compass

Materials:

• Square box with sides no more than 2" high (bottom of a half-gallon milk carton will do)
• Cardboard circle small enough to lay flat in bottom of box
• 1 1/2" nail with head
• 1 large paper clip, straightened
• Compass Rose (click to download a pdf file)
• Magnet (one from the front of the refrigerator will do)
• Glue or tape

Directions:

• Pierce the center of the box bottom with the 1 1/2" nail from the bottom up into the box.
• Take the straightened paper clip and compare to the diameter of your compass rose. If longer, trim it.
• Rub the paper clip against a magnet for several minutes.
• Glue or tape wire to the cardboard circle, slightly off center.
• On same side, mark center of cardboard circle and pierce halfway through. place cardboard circle on point of nail in box. Let circle settle. It will turn gently until one end of the needle points to north.
• Create a compass rose either by printing the example or drawing your own. it should be the size of your cardboard circle.
• Glue the compass rose to the cardboard circle with the fleur de lis placed where the needle end points to north.

Create a Water Compass

Materials:

• Small paper clip, straightened
• Small piece of styrofoam (packing peanut works great)
• Bowl of water
• Magnet (one from the front of the refrigerator will do)
• Permanent marker

Directions:

• Rub the paper clip with the magnet for several minutes.
• Pierce the paper clip through the styrofoam.
• Gently place on the surface of water. Allow the needle enough time to align along the magnetic fields of the earth. It will then point north. Test this by gently blowing on the needle to push it out of alignment. The same end of the needle should always return to the same direction. mark the north end of the needle with permanent marker.

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