Each group needs:

• plastic drinking straw
• high-gauge wire (28, 30 or 32 gauge), 2 ft (.6 m)
• iron nail
• loose staples
• 9V battery
• alligator clips
• scissors
• wire strippers
• The Good, the Bad and the Electromagnet Worksheet, one per student
• For the post-activity assessment: paper clips, and more wire and batteries