Another Science Mystery

     Have I mentioned my love for science....?? NO?!  Well let me know tell you this girl loves science, I love everything about science and how it can get your most reluctant readers and learners engaged.  Science is the area that helps students see the link between the skills they are learning in reading and math and what we do as everyday scientists.
     The new NGSS has added in the the engineering component which I believe is crucial to problem solving, and developing a true appreciation for science.  Through the lens of an engineer/scientist we began our inquiry in to sound waves.  We read another mystery from a great text called Everyday Science Mysteries.
Definitely worth a read through!
     Today the kids were given a problem where two girls are trying to communicate with a TCTS device (tin cans connected by string).  The students are then posed with the problem of how to make their communication more clear.  After reading the story the students got out their content journals and wrote their hypothesis to test to see how they could help the girls engineer a new TCTS device.

     The students then went out, gathered their materials and tested their new designs.  It  was great to see what they came up with!  They may not have seen themselves as engineers, but that is exactly what they were doing- planning, testing, and redesigning their ideas.  AMAZING!

   The conversation that followed their work was awesome.  They had some great ideas of why their design did or did not work.  Many were going to take some action at home and test out some different design theories that they had, with supplies I was unable to provide. The students debated if it was the type of string used that may have inhibited the sound. They speculated that since the fibers were looser on yarn than the string that the waves would have a harder time traveling through.  Really?! Wow that is some great thinking and hypothesizing!!!