Thanks for a Great Week!

Today was a "choose your own adventure" sharing day and we are so thankful for all of you who attended, were at pick up and drop off, and who supported all of us through this week. It was hot, it was humid and it was such a special week. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

There was the telephone station

tower station

making sounds station (a very popular one) 

kazoo station

amplification testing station

The Final Task

Today students approached the final task of the week using all the knowledge they'd gained from previous tasks. For the final task they are to amplify a speaker so that a person can hear what's playing from anywhere in an open field. For the model they are using a mini speaker, and students are creating amplifying devices created from a variety of materials using a variety of shapes and sizes. They then test those devices from two to three locations using a decibel meter app.

A fun addition to our day was the flyover from the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and Royal Air Force Red Arrows. We excitedly watched from our fourth floor windows! We then learned about sonic and supersonic flight and sonic booms.

How can we Amplify Sound?

Today's engineering adventures involved how sound is absorbed and reflected, and how to amplify sound. The first task involved the age old project of stringing two cups together to transfer sounds and words to a partner. Students then experimented with cup linings that included plastic sheets, aluminum foil, foam, and paper. During this experiment we talked about variables and how they can detract or add to your results. We worked hard to conduct good science during our experimentation.

Secondly, we discovered how a kazoo works, and worked at varying pitch and volume. Then we created amplifiers to increase the volume of the sound of the kazoo. Tomorrow students will continue tweaking their designs to get the most volume out of their kazoos.

 Your string needs to be this long.

 Isabella gets the right length.

 Tying a washer on the end helps the string not pull through. 

Trying it out but the string needs to be taut.

 Oli making sure his voice is heard.

Working in a team of 3? No problem for these guys!

 Experimenting with the door separating her partner.

 How many phone lines can you hook together?

 Trying out the kazoo.

 Creating a kazoo speaker.

Kaylee goes big!

What is sound?

Today we created sound and grew our understanding of what sound is. Using the words vibration, volume, pitch and frequency we discussed how sound is produced and how sound waves work. We learned about materials that deflect, absorb and reflect sound. Lastly, using a slinky we started naming types of sound waves. For tomorrow's adventure we have just one question for you, have you ever played telephone? See you tomorrow!

 Gathering name tags for our morning meeting.

 Ms. Jonker trying to move the salt on the table with sound waves.

Maybe a bigger sound maker?

Everyone got a change to try. 

 Listening to the vibrations for changes in pitch and frequency.

Trying various string types and lengths.

 Tuning fork vibrations make ping pong balls bounce.

 Playing the ruler to make different pitch.

 How does adding more than one rubber band change the vibration and pitch?

 That's one long slinky!

Modeling sound waves.

What is engineering? What is technology?

Today students worked through two investigations that started with the questions, "What is engineering?" and What is technology?" Students created a 10-inch tower with constraints on materials that could hold a stuffed animal for 10 seconds. Then they created containers for school supplies, sound amplifiers, water transfer systems and a stuffed animal protection device.

We start and end the day playing, reflecting and praying. Today's game, called Zip, Zap, Zop (later we added a boing!) involved cadence and the transfer of energy from one person to another. It was a great first day!

Oli is brainstorming his tower plan

Caden and Joey discuss their plan

 Sam and Tristan construct their tower

Testing

Revising

Owen and James construct their tower

Ashley and Kaylee have a different plan

Oli's sound amplifiet

Kate's carrying device

Isabella's water transfer funnel