3-PS2-3 lessons
Ask questions to find cause-and-effect relationships in electric or magnetic interactions between two objects that are not touching.
The Next Generation Science Standards code 3-PS2-3 asks students to: “Ask questions to find cause-and-effect relationships in electric or magnetic interactions between two objects that are not touching.” These Fieldbook lessons teach it hands-on, with everyday materials, a printable teacher guide and a student sheet.
Pushes, Pulls and Magnets Grade 3
- Can a magnet work through a table? 45–60 min
Teams test whether a magnet can pull a paper clip through paper, foil, plastic, cloth and wood, then count how many cards it can pull through before it lets go. They find out that most materials don't block a magnet at all: distance is what weakens the pull.
- How far will a paper clip jump? 45–60 min
Teams slide a magnet slowly toward a paper clip along a ruler and measure the gap at the moment the clip jumps. They repeat it, use the pattern to predict what two and three magnets will do, and then design a magnet gadget that works without touching.
NGSS is used as written in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, so the code 3-PS2-3 matches there. Other states word and number their own versions: see curriculum alignment for your state's codes.
More NGSS standards for Grade 3
All standards we teach · Curriculum alignment by state and province
Three full lessons, free
Make a free account and download any three Fieldbook lessons as printable PDFs. No card needed.