On November 28th, 2022, MRS@Duke teamed up with the UNC Chapel Hill MRS chapter to volunteer at
Seawell Elementary School. Using maglev trains made from magnetic tape and foam blocks, we
introduced students to the basics of magnetism and friction. Following a demonstration of friction and a
conversation about the uses of magnetism, students decorated their trains and raced them down
magnetic inclines! During the train manufacture and decoration process, volunteers assisted the
students by helping position magnet tracks and facilitating discussions about magnets and repulsion.
After this activity, a short discussion led by Winston Lindqwister brought the concepts of magnetic
repulsion and friction together through the students’ experience racing their trains against each other!
Materials Research Society at Duke