Students and teachers drawn to learn the "Mysteries of Magnetism"

On Friday, July 17, 2009, students ages 7 to 11 will gather for an Invention Convention following a science education program at the University of Missouri. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of magnetic interactions and how magnets can be used to solve everyday problems. The program, Quality Elementary Science Teaching (QUEST), is funded by the Missouri Department of Higher Education's Improving Teacher Quality Grants Program. The Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Special Education have partnered with the MU Science Education Center and the MU Partnership for Educational Renewal to provide support for the science education program.

Elementary age students, teachers from around the state, and College of Education students have participated in the classes. The focus of this year's academy was "the mysteries of magnetism." Students learned what magnets do and do not attract and why, discovered how to create a temporary magnet, designed investigations to test magnet strength, discovered ways to "see" a magnetic field, learned about everyday items and inventions that use magnets, and created their own magnetic invention.

The QUEST program benefits teachers by strengthening their understanding of physical science concepts and providing an opportunity to assess current teaching methods. Students enrolled in the program experience hands-on learning about science in everyday life.