Deep Dive into Understanding Waves: Sounds Waves (2 Parts)
Instructor: Jennifer Sheffield
Date: 9/2, 9/9, Synchronous, in person, 3 hours (two 90-minute sessions after school or ½ day in-school)
Audience: Science Teachers
Grade Levels: 3-8
Time: 3.0 Hours
Prerequisites: None
About this Course: Would you like your students to develop a deeper understanding of the nature of waves in physical science with connections to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? Then the “Deep Dive in Understanding Waves” Module is for you!
In Sound Waves Part I, we’ll explore phenomena to hook student interest in the nature of sound. You’ll strengthen your understanding of the connection between sound waves and states of matter and try out some simple discovery experiments you can use with your students that won’t break the bank. We’ll work with some of the free materials available online from Ambitious Science Teaching that you can use to uncover student thinking and build vocabulary. We may even have time to scream at a wine glass to try to break it with sound...a great stress reliever at the end of a busy day in the classroom!
Sound Waves Part II is a continuation of more advanced hands-on experiments to build student understanding of sound waves (still easy to do for teachers) using free apps (Google Sci-Journal to record decibel meter readings, sound generators with wave displays, etc.). We’ll use data tables and graph the relationship between sound and distance and practice using free decibel meter apps to collect data. We’ll look at ways students can create experiments to test the sound-buffering properties of different materials. We’ll refine our technique of screaming at a wine glass using our new digital tools to increase our chances of success!
Learning Intentions/Targets:
Participants will deepen their understanding of the properties of sound waves and how they relate to states of matter.
Participants will learn a variety of ways to use phenomena in the classroom to hook student interest in sound waves and build student understanding through a series of discovery-style experiments.
Participants will learn how to access and use various free apps, including Google Sci-Journal, that will allow students to make measurements and record data in real-time.
Materials Needed: Laptop/Chromebook, Cell Phone