3-PS2-3
The standard
Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to ask testable questions about forces they cannot see, like magnets pulling or pushing, or static electricity attracting small objects. They should change one thing at a time, such as distance, number of magnets, or magnet direction, and notice the effect.
Mastery looks like students asking questions such as, “What happens if the magnet is farther away?” and using observations to explain cause and effect. Common sticking points are thinking objects must touch to affect each other, mixing up push and pull, and changing too many variables at once.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on activity: Give pairs magnets, paper clips, rulers, and index cards to test how distance changes the number of clips attracted.
- Discussion or writing prompt: Ask, “How can one object move another object without touching it?” and have students use evidence from today’s test.
- Quick assessment: Show two magnet setups and ask students to predict push or pull, then explain which direction the magnets face.
- Real-world connection: Have students examine a refrigerator magnet, compass, or static cling sock and identify the object causing the force.
Plan a lesson for 3-PS2-3
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