Making Waves, Making Music, Making Noise

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...

The conversion of sound into light is a fascinating phenomenon that is a side effect of pistol and mantis shrimp stunning their prey. It is known as sonoluminescence, and it is thoroughly delineated in this fascinating little video. Add...

Listen in as Mia and Sam expound on sound. It is caused by vibrations and travels in waves. It has the qualities of pitch, frequency, and volume. This hip animation displays a graph to depict the frequency and amplitude of sound waves....

Make sound waves visible with an experiment that asks middle schoolers to build a model ear drum using plastic bottles, rubber bands, plastic wrap, and sand-like substances.

Using a karaoke machine, a guitar, and other devices, learners explore the way sound waves travel. Using this hands on approach, learners can get a better understanding of wavelength, frequency, and more.

This teacher playlist demonstrates the Sound Waves unit investigations where the students investigate how sound travels.

This student playlist demonstrates the Sound Waves unit investigations where the students investigate how sound travels.

Make music. Class members construct a simple record player using a paper cone and a pin. The resource provides a description of what is happening and why listeners can hear the sounds through the cone. 

Eighth graders develop ideas related to how sounds are produced, how they travel through media, and how they affect objects at a distance.

In this unit, 8th graders develop ideas related to how sounds are produced, how they travel through media, and how they affect objects at a distance.