Grades 1, 4, 6-8
Cost: $12.00 per student Chaperones are complimentary
Class Limit: Minimum class size = 16 students
Length of Program: 2 hours
In Grade 1 students will design, plan and create an object that will create sound to provide evidence that vibrating materials produce sound. Working in groups of 4, students must design a way of communicating using only flashlights, mirrors, and/or their hands. Group members will be placed in such a manner that they need to bend the beam of light in order to communicate.
In Grades 4, 6-8 students will explore wave motion and how it is used to understand sound and light. With sound, they will investigate the concept of frequency and amplitude and how these affect pitch and loudness. By experimenting they will learn how waves travel. Students will investigate how waves can be used to transmit information. They will distinguish between a “pure tone” (example a tuning fork) and composite tones (example the human voice). Students will “view” sound waves with an oscilloscope. Wave concepts learned in the study of sound will be extended to light. Students will explore the spectrum of light investigating both visible and invisible wavelengths (infra-red and UV). Concepts of the light spectrum will be used to understand how scientists can determine the composition and age of the Sun or a star. Students will finally observe the properties of LASER light.
LS - Life Science PS - Physical Science
ESS - Earth and Space Science ETS - Engineering Technology Science
Learning Standards for Science (Grade 1)
1-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
1-PS4-2. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects in darkness can be seen only when illuminated.
1-PS4-3. Plan and conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.
Learning Standards for Science (Grade 4)
4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
4-PS3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
4-PS4-1. Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move.
4-PS4-3. Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information.
Learning Standards for Science (Grade 6-8)
MS-PS4-1. Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.
Learning Standards for Engineering:
K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.