Electricity and Magnetism Engineering: Hands-On STEM Projects for Kids Ages 7–12: Build, Test, Measure, and Improve Electric Circuits, Magnetic ... Cranes, and Motors (Think Like an Engineer)

Turn electricity and magnetism into systems young engineers can actually build and understand! In Electricity & Magnetism Engineering , kids ages 7–12 explore how electrical and magnetic ideas connect by creating working systems—from a simple circuit and magnetic compass to an electromagnet, electromagnetic crane, and electric motor.

Through five complete engineering challenges—not five quick experiments —young learners observe what happens, collect measurements, diagnose problems, and discover how changing one part of a system can affect performance. By the final challenge, concepts that began separately come together in a working electromechanical system.

As part of the Think Like an Engineer series, this book focuses on deeper engineering learning rather than activity count . Each challenge gives kids time to investigate, question, test ideas, learn from results, and improve what they build—turning the excitement of electricity and magnetism into curiosity about how engineers create useful technology.

COMPLETE ENGINEERING CHALLENGES

• LIGHT UP A CIRCUIT SYSTEM
Build a working electrical circuit, test repeated connections, calculate reliability, compare battery and bulb arrangements, and add a controllable switch.

• DESIGN A MAGNETIC COMPASS
Magnetize a needle, create a low-friction floating platform, measure settling time and directional reliability, and investigate stability and magnetic interference.

• CREATE A POWERFUL ELECTROMAGNET
Use electric current, a wire coil, and a metal core to create controllable magnetism. Measure lifting capacity, compare coil counts and battery setups, and test reliable ON/OFF control.

• BUILD AN ELECTROMAGNETIC CRANE
Combine electricity, magnetism, structure, and control in a working lifting system. Measure delivery capacity, transfer efficiency, stability, and reliability.

• BUILD A SPINNING ELECTRIC MOTOR
Complete the capstone challenge by creating rotating motion with a wire coil and permanent magnet. Count rotations, estimate RPM, evaluate smoothness, and improve balance and magnetic interaction.

MORE THAN QUICK SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS Children do more than build and watch. They repeat trials, calculate averages, percentages, efficiency, reliability, lifting capacity, settling time, and estimated rotational speed. They compare designs, control variables, troubleshoot problems, and use evidence to improve performance.

Each activity includes structured improvement challenges that reinforce an important engineering lesson: successful systems must be measurable, controllable, safe, and reliable .

WHAT'S INCLUDED • Five connected electricity and magnetism projects
• Colorful step-by-step instructions and diagrams
• Accessible materials lists
• Testing tables and simple calculations
• Structured improvement challenges
• Clear science explanations and real-world connections
• Troubleshooting guidance
• Reflect & Explain questions
• Complete answer keys
• Final electric-motor capstone project

PERFECT FOR Homeschool science • STEM classrooms and clubs • project-based learning • makerspaces • science enrichment • screen-free learning • curious young builders

From lighting a circuit to building a motor, Electricity & Magnetism Engineering helps young learners see how scientific ideas become useful engineering systems . Along the way, they practice the habits engineers rely on every day: planning carefully, testing ideas, measuring results, solving problems, and improving designs with evidence.

Give your child or students the opportunity to go beyond simply watching electricity and magnetism work. Grab your copy of Electricity & Magnetism Engineering and start building, testing, and thinking like an engineer today!