IOPSpark: Many students know of electromagnets but fewer recognize that there is a magnetic effect around any current-carrying wireUnderstanding the magnetic effects around current-carrying wires can be a tall order. We can't see these fields with our eyes. The connection between electric currents and magnetic fields was first demonstrated in 1820 by Danish scientist Hans Christian Oersted. This resource includes step-by-step directions for recreating Oersted's historic experiment in the classroom. But the really meaty part is the scripted Q & A for introducing the concept in a high school science class.
IOPSpark: Many students think of electrons and photons as classical particlesEven after completing a quantum mechanics course, research indicates that students may still believe that all objects from the microscopic world are classical particles with mass. To understand auroral currents and the interactions that lead to aurora phenomena, students need to have a deeper understanding. This page from the Institute of Physics provides background information on wave/particle duality and a well-structured full lesson on "Spectra and Energy Levels".
IOPSprk: Many students have difficulty predicting the direction of the force in electromagnetismTo tackle erroneous notions about direction of force in magnetic fields, this IOP module features a tutorial, tips for leading class discussions on electromagnetic force, and a truly impressive demo called "Catapult Magnetic Field". The demo uses materials you already have in science class, with the possible exception of "Magnadur" magnets, available for <$20 for a set of 4. The demo produces two combined magnetic fields -- then you apply electricity and the force makes iron filings "catapult" from the stronger-to-weaker field.
IOPSpark: Some students may conflate "charge" with a "charged particle"One of the most stubborn misconceptions among both students and pre-service science teachers is that magnetic fields and electric fields are the "same stuff", behave in the same way, and can be visualized as almost identical things. This page shows you the research behind the erroneous notions.