How to Make a Compass

It’s not easy to get lost. Today, people have excellent maps and GPS satellite system that shows us where we are. A thousand years ago, people didn’t have either. When they were sailing on the ocean, it was tough to figure out their location. Around 1100 A.D., sailors came up with a way to help them navigate: a compass. Their compass was a magnetized needle that floated in a bucket of water. Today, there are many types of compasses, but the compass used by ancient sailors can still point you in the right direction.

Compass Points

Magnetic compasses work because the Earth is a giant magnet. Deep in the planet’s core is a molten ball of iron. The rotation of the Earth makes the liquid iron spin, which produces a magnetic field is located near the North Pole. The south end is near the South Pole. A compass is a magnet with a north and south end. Since opposites attract, the south end of a magnet points towards the magnetic north. The north end points to the magnetic south.

What You Need

• Sewing needle about one inch long
• Small bar magnet or refrigerator magnet
• Small piece of cork
• Glass or cup of water

What To Do

1. Rub the magnet against the needle in one direction for minute or so. Make sure you move the magnet in the same direction each time.

2. Stick the needle through the center of the cork. The ends of the needle should stick out from the cork Be careful that you don’t stick yourself.

3. Put the needle and cork in the glass of water and place the glass on a table. The cork and needle should float freely, more or less parallel to the surface of the water. The glass should be wide enough so the ends of the needle don’t touch the sides of the glass.

4. The needle should spin and eventually point in one direction.

5. Move the bar magnet near your compass. What happens?

Why It Happened

by rubbing the needle against the magnet, the needle became magnetized. Floating in water, the compass rotates in the direction of Earth’s magnetic field. It points to either the North or South Pole, depending on which is closer to you.

Lost and Found

Even with a compass, it is possible to get lost to get lost in the woods if you’re hiking. Here are some tips in case it ever happens.

• Never go on a hike without an adult.
• Make sure a relative or friend knows where you will be hiking.
• If you are lost, stay in one place or area, do not wander around look for help—help will find you.
• Keep warm and dry while waiting for someone to come for you. Cover up your exposed skin. Wear a hat to keep your head warm.
• Stay together with the other hikers. You can hold on to each other to keep warm.
• Find comfortable place to stay that will keep you out of the wind and rain. Wait under a large tree, for example, where searchers can easily see you.
• Attract attention. Wear something bright to stand out. Try to make a flag out of any light-colored paper, ribbon, or other objects you have.
• Do not lie down on the bare ground. The cold ground will drop your body temperature. To stay warm, cover the ground and yourself with a thick layer of branches, moss, or leaves.
• Don’t eat anything in the woods. It’s better to be hungry than sick.

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The show 'The Powerpuff Girls' began as a school project for series creator Craig McCracken during the early 90's. Just like the Powerpuff Kids website we are now developing—it's also started for children science fair and activities. The show got another title "Powerpuff Girls Z'' were developed by Japan.