LABScI
Acoustics: The Sound Lab
If the delay between a sound and its echo is less than 1/10th of a second, the human ear can’t distinguish it. Through the use of a Slinky, rubber band guitar, and straws, scholars explore where sound comes from and how it travels. Whole...
Purdue University
Sound Absorption Wall
What types of materials absorb sound? Learners explore sound waves, the decibel scale, and how different materials affect sound. Then, they use their knowledge of sound meters to complete a STEM engineering design task to build...
Teach Engineering
Acoustic Mirrors
Investigate sound waves with acoustic mirrors. Using audio software, groups make recordings of musical instruments, both with and without acoustic mirrors. They compare the recordings to see the effect of acoustic mirrors on sound waves.
Curated OER
The Halls are Alive with the Sound of Music
Young scholars discuss physical places in which had good or bad acoustics. After reading an article, they discover the relationship between the physics of sound and concert hall acoustics. They calculate the speed of sound and compare...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
Curated OER
Sound Wave Reflection
Students explore sound waves. In this sound wave lesson, students determine the path traveled by sound waves in an acoustic room. Students consider how sound travels and reflects, then they calculate the rate sound travels at.
Curated OER
Traveling Sound
Students explore how sound waves move through liquids, solids and gases in a series of simple sound energy experiments. They describe how sound needs molecules to move and that changing the medium that it travels through changes the...
It's About Time
Inferences of Waves
Building on the previous lesson, scholars use Slinkies to create standing waves. They graph waves on a calculator and then apply their knowledge to both sound and light waves. This is the fourth in a series of nine lessons.
Purdue University
Design of Music Instruments for a Rock Band
Can you create a rock band? Scholars learn about the creation and transmission of sound in a hands-on STEM activity. First, they explore the transmission of sound using a tuning fork. Then, they must solve the problem of missing...
PBS
Signal Senders
Send a signal to let others know one's location. Scholars investigate how scientists track the movement of marine wildlife. They model the process by creating a custom sound that can be used to identify each group member as they walk by.
Curated OER
Sound Environment Shapes
Students learn about a "sound environment" and how it is important when building a structure. In this sound environment lesson plan, students learn how acoustical engineering is important to building a structure and how sound waves...
Curated OER
Good Vibrations: Sound, Acoustics, Science, Sports Arenas, Olympics
Pupils perform a series of tasks that integrate hands-on inquiry-based activities with the Internet to explore sound and acoustics. They develop an acoustics Web page to show what they have learned.
IOP Institute of Physics
Physics in Concert
What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and electricity, young...
Curated OER
The Science of Sound and Musical Instruments
Students identify the components of sound. They describe the relationship between pitch and frequency and explain the terms sympathetic vibrations and resonance.
They perform simple experiments about the world of sound and explain the...
Curated OER
Discovering the Mathematics of Sound
Students study the basic skills of algebraic manipulations. They practice the application of basic mathematics in science and determine the nature of good acoustics. They develop proposals for providing good acoustics and identify...
Curated OER
Architectural Acoustics
In this acoustics worksheet, students use a chart of the speed of sound through different materials to determine which materials should be used to build certain building types. Students complete 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Acoustics and You: Learning About the Science of Sound
In this sound worksheet, learners engage in six different activities that familiarize them with terms related to sound. Activities include word search, word scramble, crossword puzzle, matching and maze.
Ceramic Arts Daily
Making Sounds with Clay
Here is a great way to incorporate art, history, and music. Learners will make airduct instruments, such as recorders, flutes, and whistles out of clay. The ceramic instruments can be quite ornate and even used to make music. The...
Curated OER
Developing Soundproofing Materials
Eighth graders investigate the acoustic properties of materials in order to develop soundproofing products. In this soundproofing activity students research different resources, design and perform experiments and fabricate, test and...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Pitch and Frequency
Students experiment with a vibrating ruler and a kazoo to study the different pitches and frequencies they produce. They create both high and low pitch sound waves. They examine how engineers use sound energy when designing electronic...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Habitat Mapping
Students examine the current technologies used in mapping resources in the marine environment. They look at remote sensing, sounding, and underwater vehicles. They examine image from the benthic habitat produced by the GIS in order to...
Curated OER
The Acoustics House
Young scholars study how drums produce sound by building and playing a simple drum. They measure the diameter of their can, then mark a circle two inches larger in diameter on their piece of plastic with the marker or chalk, and cut out...
Acoustical Society of America
Musical Instruments
Mix it up and engage learners in a lesson on music and physical science. Using cups, strings, guitars, and voice, the class will experiment with sound vibration and frequency. They'll use each instrument and fill out a worksheet that...
Acoustical Society of America
Musical Instruments Part I - Woodwinds
What is the connection between sound and vibration? Learners find out as they conduct a series of experiments with instruments they create. The experiment is well explained, includes modifications for visuall and hearing impaired...