BUILDING
A COMPASS
Things you need A
glass of water
One sewing needle
A magnet. can't find one, check out
your fridge door!
A piece of Styrofoam.
Styrofoam, you know that white packaging
stuff that looks like potato crisps.
Failing that, a small piece of paper or
a cork will do just as well. Its job is
as a float for your compass needle.
The first task is to magnetise the needle.
Simply rub in the same direction the blunt
end of the needle with the magnet.
You need to do this about 60-100 times.
Once magnetised push the needle length ways
into the Styrofoam ensuring the both ends
are projecting out. Now place them
in the glass of water giving them a very
gentle nudge so its spins just slightly.
When the needle has completely stopped moving
the sharp end of the needle should be pointing
North. You can check this by making
two or there more and see if they
too point in the same direction. Just
remember not to leave the magnet or any
large metal object like the radiator
close to your compass. Place a copy
of our smileypig compass rose under the
glass or use it as your float to help plot
North, South, East & West.
