Senses (Elba Lopez)

Principles illustrated:

• Gathering data

• Making observations

• Communicate findings

Applicable Standards:

Physics (Waves)

• 4d. Students know sound is a longitudinal wave whose speed depends on the properties of the medium in which it propagates

Life Science

• 5g. Students know how to relate the structures of the eye and ear to their functions.

• 7c. Communicate the logical connection among hypotheses, science concepts, tests conducted, data collected, and conclusions drawn from the scientific evidence

Biology

• 9b. Students know how the nervous system mediates communication between differ­ent parts of the body and the body’s interactions with the environment.

• 9d. Students know the functions of the nervous system and the role of neurons in transmitting electrochemical impulses.

• 9e. Students know the roles of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons in sensation, thought, and response.

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

• the senses and their roles in communicating with the brain and the rest of the body.

• Collecting quantitative and qualitative data

• making observation

Root question:

Target response:

1. Wagon Wheel: The diagram appears to spin.

   • persistence of vision produces the illusion.

2. Hearing: it sounds like a bell. the metal in the utensil starts to vibrate when struck

   • these vibrations are transmitted up the string to the ears.

3. How do you feel?

   • the person feels only one point on the forearm and two points on the thumb tip.

Common Misconceptions:

• there are more or less than five senses

• if you lose a sense the others become heightened

Resource:

Janice VanCleaves: biology for every kid: 101 experiments that really work.

Photographs and Movies