Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the Essential Science series covers the following key concepts:

• Magnets and their properties have been explored since ancient times.

• There are three basic types of magnets — temporary, magnets, permanent magnets, and electromagnets.

• Areas of strongest force on a magnet are called poles. Opposite poles attract; like poles repel.

• The properties of magnetic fields make magnets useful in many different ways.

Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alternative assessments of varying difficulty.