Electromagnet - lets create your own electromagnet

Students have basic skills in using computer aided design software. (Our students finished 3 hour long introduction to Autodesk Tinkercad)

The project goal is to create a functional model of the electromagnet coil which can be used in further science lessons. Students can also take it home and experiment with the coils individually. 

Key objectives: 

● Students use basic solids (cuboid, cylinder etc) to form a compound object

 ● Students use simple software tool to create 3d representation of an object (we used Autodesk Tinkercad) and to use it for 3d printing of an object 

● Students build a working model of an electromagnet 

● Students discover how electric current affects magnetic field

3d printer, nuts and bolts (1 nut and screw per coil, for electromagnet core. We used M6x35 hex head screw, (12 x 1 3/8 imperial size)), insulated wire (we used wire sourced from UTP ethernet cable, cca 6 meters per coil), For experiments: small nails or paper clips, power source (battery, lab DC source), crocodile clips, knife or scissors to strip insulation. 

● introductory course to Autodesk Tinkercad:- 2 - 3 lesson units 

● coil frame design: 1 lesson unit (45-60 min.) 

● coil frame print: cca 6 hours (can be done overnight) 

● lesson preparation: 1 hour 

● electromagnet assembly: 1 lesson unit (45-60 min.) 

● experiments with electromagnets: 1 lesson unit (45-60 min) 

The course is done in two parts - we did the first part (designing and printing coil cores) in 9th grade, assembly and experiments were done by 6th grade students, but it is possible to realise both parts with one group, as you need. 

Part one - coil cores, designing and printing 

After students have completed Tinkercad introduction (design your own trolley token, design simple animal) 

1. Introducing students to electromagnets. Show them the core and the coil. Explain function of the coil frame. 

2. Students work: Together, look at the coil core. Decide what geometric solids you can see in the coil frame presented and how they form the frame. 

3. Students work: Design your own coil core using Tinkercad. It has a fit nut and bolt 6 mm in diameter and 35 mm long. 

4. Discuss: What do you need to consider? (Make the frame shorter (screw - head - nut), Make a screw hole bigger than 6 mm). 

5. Students individually design in Tinkercad, teacher assists when they encounter problems. (cca 30 min.) 

6. Project Gallery Showcase - show students work, discuss respective benefits or omissions. In cooperation with students make “One perfect frame” combined out of student designs. You can print individual students designs, if they want, so they can “see it grow”.

7. Mass production for part two is done overnight. 

Part two - assembly, experiments

1. Students work in pairs, every student (pair) gets a printed frame, nut and bolt, 4-8 m of wire, box of paperclips for pair.

2. Show one assembled coil to students, leave it on the teacher's desk for reference. 

3. Students work: In pairs, assemble electromagnet as per example. You can look at the example at my desk, DO NOT take it from my desk. Count, how many windings you can fit. 

4. After assembly, show the class how to strip the insulation, let students experiment with battery, electromagnet and paper clips. 

5. Conclusion: Coils of wire act as electromagnet, when it is attached to an electric current source. More coil windings makes stronger magnet.