Introduction
This webquest will help students explore how sounds are create and how they change. At the end of the webquest, students will be charged with the task of creating a device that will help them transmit a sound. This webquest aligns with the following Georgia science standards:
S4P2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how sound is produced and changed and how sound and/or light can be used to communicate.
a. Plan and carry out an investigation utilizing everyday objects to produce sound and predict the effects of changing the strength or speed of vibrations.
b. Design and construct a device to communicate across a distance using light and/or sound.
Task
Wow! Did you just hear that? You probably just heard your teacher or classmate talking. But, how was that sound created and sent through the air to your ear? Was it just magic or was there science behind it? Throughout this webquest, you will be charged with finding out how sound is created and moved. At the end of the webquest, you will be expected to create a new device to help with the transfer of sound. Trust me, this will help you when you want to talk to someone else in another room or maybe your friend across the classroom. Good luck and keep your ears open, you never know what you will hear.
Process
Part 1:
For this part of the webquest, please number your answers so that they correspond with the questions and record them in your science journal.
Use this link to answer questions 1-9 as you watch the video. If you have time, you may take the quiz as well.
1. In your own words, what is sound?
2. How is sound created?
3. How is sound measured?
4. What is amplitude?
5. What is loudness?
6. What is pitch?
7. How loud is a regular conversation?
8. What sounds are lower than zero decibles? Who can hear these sounds?
9. Why are sounds lower than zero decibles being investigated?
10. Use this link to answer How does sound travel?
11. Use this link to answer the following question: What effects sound travel? How does the substance that sound is traveling through, affect the sound?
Use this link to build a tune. Then read about how sound works to answer the following questions:
12. Sound vibrations cause the air to start moving in __________. These __________ are different lengths, which affects the pitch and loudness of the sound.
13. The longer the wave lengths, the _____________ the sound. The shorter the wave lengths, the _____________ the sound.
14. How does the length and the thickness of a musical instrument string affect the way that it sounds?
15. How does the material of the musical instrument string and the tension of the string affect the way that it sounds?
16. Look at some of the common sounds in our lives. Using at least two to three sentences, compare two to three sounds.
17. Investigate the different frequencies of sounds. Describe what you notice using at least three sentences.
Part 2:
Using your newly acquired knowledge about how sound words and how sound travels, create a device that can transmit sound. You may use any materials that you would like. Materials will be provided for your by you teacher, but if you wish to use different materials you must request them or provide them for yourself.
Your device can be an instrument, a phone, or any other device that transmits sound. After creating your project, please include a description of how your device transmits sound. If it is an instrument, please provide a description of the sound pertaining to pitch. Please review the rubric before you begin. This can be found under the evaluation tab.
Evaluation
You will be evaluated for the accuracy of the answers provided to the questions on the webquest.
Another grade will be provided for the completion of the sound device that you will create. The grade will be based on the rubric.
You may work in groups of two. If you work in a group, you will not be required to create two devices, but each group member should record the questions in their science journal.
Conclusion
Wow! Did you hear that? That was the sound of you completing this webquest! During this webquest, you should have learned about how sound is created, how it is measured, how sound travels, and more! You have also created a device that transmits sound. It is time for you to toot your horn with as high of pitch and loudness as you want to!
Credits
ALTEC at University of Kansas. (2008). RubiStar. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
British Broadcasting Corporation. (2014). KS2 Bitesize Science - Sound, Page 3 : Read. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/sound/read…
Center for Disease Control. (n.d.). Decibel Scale ScienceWiz.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://www.sciencewiz.com/Portal/portal_to_Sound_DBMeter_Scale_detail.p…
Georgia Department of Education. (2016). Science fourth grade Georgia Standards. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Fo….
Onlinetonegenerator.com. (2015). Online Tone Generator. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://onlinetonegenerator.com/432Hz.html
Schoolastic Inc. (2018). Sound: StudyJams! Science | Scholastic.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sou…
South Carolina ETV Commision. (2018). How Sound Travels | NASA Online. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from https://knowitall.org/interactive/how-sound-travels-nasa-online
WGBH Educational Foundation. (2017). STRING THING. Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://pbskids.org/designsquad/games/string_thing/
Teacher Page
This webquest was created to meet the needs of the following Georgia fourth grade standards:
S4P2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how sound is produced and changed and how sound and/or light can be used to communicate.
a. Plan and carry out an investigation utilizing everyday objects to produce sound and predict the effects of changing the strength or speed of vibrations.
b. Design and construct a device to communicate across a distance using light and/or sound.
The webquest can be done by individual students or by small groups. The webquest may take up to two hours to complete. It is important to encourage the children to think creatively and out of the box in their final project. This activity is meant to challenge them.
In regards to part one, there are games that students can play on the websites if there is time. However it is not mandatory that they play them.
I would like to take a moment to thank the individuals that created the resources that are included in the webquest. I would also like to thank my wonderful professors at Liberty University who have provided me with the knowledge that I need to create a webquest for my students.