Sound All Around

Students will conduct observations and hands-on experiments, including making a musical instrument, to explore the properties of sound.

Student Challenge:

Make observations of the properties of sound by engaging with various materials, including a classroom demonstration of a dancing laser light show. Use those observations to investigate how to make a simple musical instrument with everyday materials.

Learning Outcomes:

• Make observations of a dancing laser to explain the relationship between sound and vibration.
• Conduct an investigation of a simple musical instrument to determine what causes different sounds.

NGSS Connections:

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – PS4: Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer

Science & Engineering Practices (SEP) – Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) – Cause & Effect

Cross-Curricular Connections:

• Common Core Math – MP.3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others 
• Common Core ELA – SL.1B: Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others
• Music – MU:Cr.1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
• Social Emotional Learning – 2A: Recognize the feelings and perspectives of others / 2C:Use communication and social skills to interact effectively with others

Materials:

DCM Educators will bring out the Dancing Laser Demo, which contains a speaker and an everyday laser light. Additionally, each student will receive a Sound Lab kit, which contains materials for a soundwave observation and to make a Sound Sandwich musical instrument.