How Sea Turtles Use Magnetism to Find Their Way

SciShow Kids

This educational video follows Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks as they prepare for a hike in the woods. Squeaks is nervous about getting lost, which leads to a lesson on navigation tools. Jessi introduces the compass as a tool to find direction, explaining its reliance on magnetism. To deepen the understanding of navigation without landmarks, they video call Dr. Turtleman, a sea turtle expert, who explains how marine animals navigate the vast ocean. The video explores key scientific themes including magnetism, magnetic poles, and animal migration. It breaks down how magnets work, defining terms like 'North Pole,' 'South Pole,' and 'magnetic attraction.' It vividly illustrates Earth as a giant magnet and explains how compass needles align with Earth's magnetic field. Furthermore, it introduces the biological concept of 'magnetoreception,' revealing that sea turtles and other animals have magnetite in their brains that acts as an internal compass. For educators, this video is an excellent resource for bridging Earth science and biology. It simplifies complex concepts like the Earth's magnetic field and invisible forces, making them accessible to young learners. Teachers can use this video to launch units on magnets, animal adaptations, or geography skills. It encourages curiosity about the natural world and demonstrates how biological adaptations allow animals to solve problems—like navigation—in ways similar to human technology.