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Magnetic Maze

Magnetic Maze

Content Standards

In this lesson, the students can understand that magnets can attract certain materials and can exert a certain force without contact. They will also be able to realize the practical application of magnets through a maze game.

Performance Standards

Students will be able to:

  • Define what a magnet is and identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
  • Explain how magnets attract and repel objects.
  • Apply their knowledge of magnetic force to solve a problem in the magnetic maze game.

Alignment Standards

Reference: NCERT Class 6 Science  

The lesson is aligned with the NCERT Grade 6  Science Book-Chapter 4: Exploring Magnets, Section:5 – Fun with Magnets

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Define a magnet and describe its properties
  • Explain how magnetic force acts without physical contact.
  • Demonstrate magnetism in hands-on maze game.

Prerequisites (Prior Knowledge)

  • Have a basic knowledge of push and pull forces.
  • Be familiar with common uses of magnets in daily life.

Introduction

In this session, the student is introduced to the concept of magnetism through a problem solving game- Magnetic Maze, where they try to move a metal ball and guide it to escape the maze. Students will also be able to differentiate between magnetic and non magnetic materials. Lastly, students will be discovering that the magnetic force is a contact less force.

Timeline (40 Minutes)

TitleApproximate DurationProcedureReference Material
Engage5

Magnetic Magic demo with paperclip; class discussion on invisible forces.

Slides

Explore10

Virtual Game: Students play the 3D Magnetic Maze game: using a bar magnet  over the maze board to guide a metal ball to the exit.

Observe and discuss how the ball moves without being touched.

Virtual lab

Explain10

The teacher explains magnetic force, poles, attraction/repulsion and related maze observation to the magnetic properties.

Slides + Virtual Lab

Evaluate10

Conduct a MCQ test to check understanding of the key concepts.

Virtual Lab

Extend5

Students brainstorm other games/toys that could use magnets, or design a mini maze for homework.

Slides

Magnetic Maze

Introduction

The Magnetic Maze activity engages learners  in exploring the concept of magnetism through an interactive game. By guiding a metal ball through a maze using a bar magnet, they observe magnetic attraction, the influence of distance, and the effect of barriers. This hands-on experience makes abstract concepts tangible and builds curiosity about real-world applications of magnets in toys, tools, and devices.

Theory

Magnets are objects that produce a magnetic field, which can attract certain materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. 

This force of attraction or repulsion can act without physical contact, even through some non-magnetic materials like paper, cardboard, or plastic.

Key properties of magnets include:

  1. Attraction and Repulsion — Unlike poles attract each other, like poles repel.
  2. Magnetic Materials — Only certain materials (iron, nickel, cobalt, and some alloys) are attracted to magnets.
  3. Magnetic Force Through Materials — The magnetic field can pass through non-magnetic substances, though the strength may reduce with distance or thickness.

In the Magnetic Maze, a bar magnet is placed beneath the maze board, and students move a metal ball to the finish by controlling the magnet’s position. This activity demonstrates:

  • Magnetic attraction without contact.
  • Influence of material between the magnet and object.
  • The concept of guided motion using an invisible force.

Real-life connections include magnetic toys, magnetic locks, and industrial applications such as moving metal objects without touching them.

Vocabulary

This is the list of vocabulary terms used throughout the lesson.

  • Magnet– A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field and can attract certain materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt.
  • Magnetic Field-The space around a magnet where its magnetic force can be felt is called the magnetic field.
  • Magnetic Materials– Materials that can be attracted by a magnet, such as iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt.
  • Non Magnetic Materials- Materials that are not attracted by a magnet, such as wood, plastic, rubber, paper, and glass.
  • Poles- The two ends of a magnet are called poles – the North Pole and the South Pole – where the magnetic force is the strongest.
  • Attraction- When unlike poles of two magnets (North and South) come close, they pull towards each other. This effect is called attraction.
  • Repulsion- When two magnets (North–North or South–South) come close, they push away from each other. This effect is called repulsion.
  • Magnetic Force- The invisible force exerted by a magnet that can attract or repel other magnetic materials.
  • Bar Magnet- A bar magnet is a rectangular-shaped permanent magnet with a North Pole and a South Pole at its ends.

Magnetic Maze

Category

Introduction

In the Magnetic Maze Virtual Lab, you will use a magnet to guide a metal ball through a maze without touching it, showing how magnets can move objects from a distance. Magnets are special objects that can attract certain materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt, and they have two ends called the North Pole and the South Pole. Unlike poles attract each other, while like poles repel. The invisible area around a magnet where its power can be felt is called the magnetic field, and this force can even pass through air, paper, or cardboard. That is why in the maze, the ball moves when the magnet is placed under the board. This activity helps you discover that magnetic force is invisible, works without contact, and is used in many real-life applications like compasses, fridge magnets, and maglev trains.

Key Features

  •  Interactive 3D Magnetic Maze game. 
  • Use of a bar magnet to guide a metallic ball through a maze
  • Realistic simulation of magnetic attraction without contact
  • Gamified challenge with timer and retry option

 

Step-by-Step Procedure for VR Experience

Step-by-Step Procedure for Virtual Lab Experience

 Step 1: Understanding the Properties of Magnet and Magnetic field

  • Brief interactive explanation of magnetic attraction and invisible force.
  • Students learn magnets can move certain objects without touching them.

 Step 2: Get familiar with the controls

  • Learn how to hold and move the virtual bar magnet under the maze.
  • Practice moving the ball by controlling magnet movement smoothly.

Step 3: Read the Instructions

  • Objective: Guide the metal ball from start to finish without touching it directly.
  • Avoid dead ends and plan the path through the maze carefully.

Step 4: Start the game

  • Try moving the ball slowly through an easy path to understand control.
  • Observe how the ball responds when the magnet is moved faster/slower.
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