Making a Simple Compass

Compass: a tool used to show directions

Materials 

• needle
• magnet
• bowl
• tape
• small piece of cork  
• water 
• paper clip (optional) 

Directions

1. First you will need to turn the needle into a magnet. It is easy to do! Just stroke the needle approximately 50 times in the same direction with the magnet. (You can try to pick up a paper clip with the needle to check that it is now magnetized!)
2. Now you are ready to make the compass. Tape the magnetic needle to a piece of cork then float the needle in a bowl of water. It will now point to magnetic NORTH, just like a real compass!