Science Teacher's Students' Questions

Grouped by General Science Categories

1. Waves and Sound

Weston L.

• Question:

  • "I know sound cannot travel through space because there is no air, but would there be sound on Mars?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

• Explore More:

  • Sound on Mars and More

Paul C.

• Question:

  • "How far can waves travel."

• NGSS Standards:

  • 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.

• Explore More:

  • Understanding Wave Propagation

  • General Wave Information - Bill Nye

Ariana A.

• Question:

  • "I know that you can't hear sound in space but how does that work"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

• Explore More:

  • Why Sound Can't Travel Through Space

Dylan D.

• Question:

  • "I would want to learn more about mechanical waves. And how they were made and how they were discovered. Also how AirPods work because how do they get so much noise and how can there be noise cancellation and how can't people hear it?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

  • MS-PS4-3: Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a reliable way to encode and transmit information.

• Explore More:

  • Mechanical Waves

  • How Noise-Canceling Headphones Work

  • The Design Behind AirPods (Video)

Lila D.

• Question:

  • "I know that sound is dampened in space and waves rely on particles, but why do they have to have particles to work?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2

• Explore More:

  • The Need for a Medium in Sound Propagation

Liam V.

• Question:

  • "How do AirPods work"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-3

• Explore More:

  • The Technology Behind Wireless Earbuds

Bryce H.

• Question:

  • "I know that there are no particles in space but at what point is there no more sound in space along the atmosphere?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

• Explore More:

  • Atmosphere Layers and Sound Transmission

Nicholas R.

• Question:

  • "How would sound travel differently in a room full of oxygen compared to a room full of another gas like helium."

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2

• Explore More:

  • Sound Speed in Different Gases

Abigail P.

• Question:

  • "I know about refraction and how the wave bends but I don't fully understand how"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2

• Explore More:

  • Understanding Refraction

Shaine A.

• Question:

  • "How do soundproof headphones work?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2

• Explore More:

  • Noise Cancellation Technology

Jack V.

• Question:

  • "I know that if you yell in outer space you would not hear it I would like to learn about ocean waves."

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.

• Explore More:

  • Ocean Waves and Their Properties

Estella S.

• Question:

  • "I know that if you were to listen to a song, 70 dB should be the max. My question is how many decibels would you need for it to ruin your hearing?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-LS1-8: Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.

• Explore More:

  • Decibels and Hearing Loss

Kellan G.

• Question:

  • "Are wireless headphones or AirPods bad for your hearing if they are what do they do that is harmful"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-LS1-8

• Explore More:

  • Impact of Loud Music on Hearing

2. Space Science and Astronomy

Julian N.

• Question:

  • "How many other galaxies like ours are in space that we know of."

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-2

• Explore More:

  • Galaxies in the Universe

Arianna P.

• Question:"I know that we are in the Milky Way galaxy but I wanted to know if there are other galaxies that we know about that we can travel to or explore"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-2

• Explore More:

  • Exploring Other Galaxies

Brayden M.

• Question:

  • "How does nuclear fusion in stars first start?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses, and seasons.

• Explore More:

  • Nuclear Fusion in Stars

Grace P.

• Question:

  • "For example, if an astronaut entered a spaceship, would the oxygen particles leave the ship and go into space? And if so, what would happen to them? Would they be dissolved by the dark matter in space?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

• Explore More:

  • Behavior of Gases in Space

Alabama C.

• Question:

  • "I know that it is possible to land on the moon, but was the landing on the moon fake?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

• Explore More:

  • Evidence of Moon Landings

Resi L.

• Question:

  • "I know that electromagnetic waves don't need a medium to travel through, my question is how they transfer energy."

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS4-2

• Explore More:

  • Energy Transfer by Electromagnetic Waves

William W.

• Question:

  • "How does space travel work"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object's motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

• Explore More:

  • Basics of Space Travel

Henry J.

• Question:

  • "What is a black hole?"

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-2

• Explore More:

  • Understanding Black Holes

3. Human Biology and Evolution

Miette A.

• Question:

  • "I know that humans evolved from monkeys but I want to know what we used to look like."

• NGSS Standards:

  • MS-LS4-2: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

• Explore More:

  • 'Your Inner Fish' by Neil Shubin on YouTube or PBS Learning, which explains how we’re connected to ancient creatures in an easy-to-understand way.

4. Advanced Computing

DK

• Question: How can I get into advanced computing?

• Category: Computer Science and Technology

• California Science Standards:

  • MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

• Explore More:

  • How to Learn Computer Science for Beginners

  • Getting Started with Programming

  • Advanced Computing for Kids and Teens

5. Space Exploration

Noah

• Question: Is there any other habitable planet?

• Category: Astronomy and Space Science

• California Science Standards:

  • MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

  • MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

• Explore More:

  • Exoplanets and Habitability

  • Could Humans Live on Another Planet?

  • Habitable Planets Beyond Earth

Book in the Thurston Library

Here are some book recommendations that are in our TMS Library that are on the three major topics from above:

1. Waves and Sound:

   • "Waves: The Electromagnetic Universe" by Gloria Skurzynski - Call Number: 539.2 Sku

2. Space Science and Astronomy:

   • "The Space Encyclopedia" by Gail Radley - Call Number: 523.1 RAD

   • "The Universe" by Alvin Silverstein - Call Number: 520 SIL

3. Human Biology and Evolution:

   • "The Skeleton Book: An Inside Look at Animals" by Madeleine Livaudais - Call Number: 596 Liv

Please see Ms. McNeely or Mr. Warren for assistance if you can't find these books in our library. 

Also, check out the TMS Library App in Beachport to locate even more books of interest!  

Additional Science Questions

Advanced Computing

DK

• Question: How can I get into advanced computing?

• Category: Computer Science and Technology

California Science Standards:

• • MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Explore More:

• • How to Learn Computer Science for Beginners

  • Getting Started with Programming

  • Advanced Computing for Kids and Teens

Space Exploration

Noah

• Question: Is there any other habitable planet?

• Category: Astronomy and Space Science

California Science Standards:

• • MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

  • MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

Explore More:

• • Exoplanets and Habitability

  • Could Humans Live on Another Planet?

  • Habitable Planets Beyond Earth