Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science lesson designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and graphs. The...

Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...

How does sound travel through different mediums? Scholars explore this question by creating and observing sound waves as they learn the difference between transverse and longitudinal wave motion. Using their new knowledge, class members...

Catch the fast wave. Using a computer simulation, pupils experiment with amplitude, frequency, damping, and tension of a string to determine which affects the speed of the wave. Learners record the observations to determine their...

Students distinguish waves from matter, differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves, use sine curves as representations of transverse waves, label characteristic properties of waves, diagram transverse waves having specific...

Middle schoolers formulate hypotheses on wave behavior and test them. In this physics instructional activity, students compare and contrast transverse and compression waves. They determine the wavelength of transverse waves.

Students observe and identify various waves. In this wave motion activity, student use a Slinky, noise, people, and musical instruments to create waves and observe how each type of wave moves.

Learners examine the basic concepts of radio waves and magnetic fields. They study how the AM radios are built and demonstrate the concepts of amplitude and frequency.

Students discover the properties of waves in Chemistry and Physics. In groups, they develop and build their own device to demonstrate transverse waves. They complete their tests, record the results and discuss the conclusions with the...

Students differentiate the properties of longitudinal and transverse waves. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate CEENBoT's rate of propagation by measuring its frequency and distance per cycle. They use a mathematical...

Students identify the different parts of a wave. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how animals communicate using sound waves. They discuss the effect of Navy's sonar on dolphins and whales.

Sixth graders discover, through exploration, the basic characteristics of waves. After a lecture/demo, 6th graders work in groups and participate in a series of labs where they investigate waves. Each group presents its findings to the...

Ever wonder why a siren sounds different when it's coming toward you than when it's going away from you? It all depends on the motion of the sound waves! The interactive activity demonstrates how the Doppler effect impacts the motion of...

Light is such a fascinating subject. This lesson plan does a great job of illuminating the mysteries of light for your young scientists. A series of demonstrations which are explained in the plan should help your charges to understand...

Students investigate primary and secondary waves and how to measure the magnitude of waves. They discover how to find the epicenter of earthquakes. They examine why waves are more destructive in some areas than others through these...

Learners demonstrate the motion of waves. In this wave lesson, students demonstrate the various attributes to waves and the properties through a variety of hands-on activities.

Ninth graders identify the different parts of a wave. For this physics lesson, 9th graders observe wave behavior as it travels through a boundary. They determine the relationship between wavelength, frequency and velocity.

Students observe a series of demonstrations to illustrate wave movement. In this sound wave lesson, students witness how objects create waves when dropped in a dish of water, use a rope and slinky to produce transverse and longitudinal...

Students explore hearing loss caused by sound waves. In this physical science lesson plan, students will start by learning about waves and wave characteristics and move into sound waves. Students will study how sound effects their...

Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function...

Students determine that waves carry energy and information from one place to another. They determine that wavelength, frequency and wave speed are related and describe that sound is a longitudinal wave whose speed depends on the...

Students simulate p waves (longitudinal) & s waves (transverse) using a slinky and rope, simulate one of the three types of lithospheric boundaries, and investigate plate tectonics at some select Web sites.

Fifth graders sit in their seats with the lights on and then the teacher turns off the lights. After their eyes have adjusted, they vote on what colors of construction paper are being held up. The lights are then turned back on and...

Students learn the procedure for mixing secondary colors from primary pigments and observe the results of mixing two primary colors.