Catching a Good Wave through Sounds

In order to reproduce this excellent project-based learning experience, students will need to have access to some expensive equipment. This particular classroom used oscilloscopes, compute... See More

In order to reproduce this excellent project-based learning experience, students will need to have access to some expensive equipment. This particular classroom used oscilloscopes, computers, probe ware, and Lego robotics equipment as well as less expensive binoculars, stopwatches and tuning forks. Students were able to measure the speed of sound, explore wave phenomena, and determine wavelengths, frequencies, and amplitudes using probe ware. They also examined sine curves using spaghetti. The project-based learning unit provided lots of opportunities for students to practice trigonometric functions as they collected and analyzed data. As a result of the class work, some of the students generated new questions to research. These questions included wanting to know how cochlear implants might be improved and how compact discs worked.

Activities that lead to understanding

The author suggests that having students brainstorm project ideas early in a unit and then providing activities and instruction during the unit that provide the information students will nee... See More

The author suggests that having students brainstorm project ideas early in a unit and then providing activities and instruction during the unit that provide the information students will need to complete their project motivates students to learn. The author provides a description of some of these activities that were used for a unit on waves.