• Field Trip

    More than 250 interactive science, technology, energy and health exhibits await students of all ages.  We’re experts at making sure that bringing your group to the Museum is smooth sailing all the way. Discounted admission for groups of 20 or more!

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  • Science Works

    Your students become scientists during our 50-minute ScienceWorks Labs that provide hands-on experience with a variety of topics identified in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.  Each lab includes pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities.  Labs are available year-round for preschool to middle school students.

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  • Outreach

    It's Science on Wheels: We bring the Museum to you!  We offer fun, inquiry-based programs for the students in your classroom, library, festival or youth center! All programs address objectives outlined in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and include pre- and post-visit activities.

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  • Series Outreach

    We bring science activities, writing exercises, and academic confidence to your students. Our programs are proven to correlate with a rise in Science MEAP scores among participating students. Each program is a series of workshops led by a highly qualified teacher and aligns with MI Grade Level Content Expectations.  All materials are provided.

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  • Distance Learning

    Our educators use videoconferencing to engage your students in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Program kits sent to classroom teachers include nearly everything you need for experiments. Kits are yours to keep! All programs address National Science Education Standards and align with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.

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  • Professional Development

    Join us for fast-paced, hands-on teacher workshops that provide elementary and middle school educators with new hands-on tools for incorporating interactive science and math activities into your classroom.  Join us for professional development opportunities both at the museum and at your school.

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  • Summer of Science

     

    Whether you’re with a group or your family, explore over 250 exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experience a unique Summer ScienceWorks Lab. Visit the Museum and fill your summer with science!

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  • Summer Camp

    Explore week-long science and math activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and community collaborators.  Elementary and middle school children can investigate a different theme each week through hands-on and engaging fun.

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  • Birthday Parties

    What do you get when you mix one part science, one part fun, and one part celebration? A birthday party at the Museum! Experience a birthday full of discovery by exploring more than 250 exhibits and experimenting with a hands-on activity. Celebrate in a unique and interactive environment to make your special day really special!

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Back to Programs

Sound Science (3rd-4th)

ScienceWorks: Sound Science (3rd-4th)

Discover the energy in sound waves and make waves that travel through different states of matter. Listen for pitch, frequency and discover the amazing physics of sound. Register today!

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

  • Identify light and sound as forms of energy. (P.EN.03.11)
  • Relate sounds to their sources of vibrations (for example: a musical note produced by a vibrating guitar string, the sounds of a drum made by the vibrating drum head). (P.EN.03.31)
  • Distinguish the effect of fast or slow vibrations as pitch. (P.EN.03.32)

Sound Science Pre-visit Materials

During Your Visit to the ScienceWorks Lab students will be expected to:

  • Sit in tables of 6 students and (at least) 1 adult
  • Students should be prepared to give their attention to the Lab instructors when requested to “Give Me Five”
  • Work cooperatively with one another at the table
  • Follow the hands-on procedures just as the Lab teacher or assistant explains them
  • Handle materials and equipment carefully

It is important that teachers and chaperones:

  • Help to focus the students’ attention
  • Assist students with the hands-on activities and experiments when necessary
  • Turn off cell phones and pagers during the class

Vocabulary

Amplitude: Amplitude is the size of a sound wave from top to bottom. The higher the amplitude (the taller the sound wave), the louder the sound.

Frequency: Frequency is the speed at which something vibrates and creates sound. A high frequency (vibrating fast) creates high-pitched sounds. A low frequency (vibrating slow) creates low-pitched sounds.

Molecule: A molecule is the smallest piece of any one thing. Everything is made up of molecules. Molecules are made up of atoms.

Pitch: Pitch is the highness or lowness of a sound. Pitch is determined by the frequency of sound waves, or how fast or slow something is vibrating.

Sound: Sound is a form of energy. It is made up of waves of vibrations.

Sound Wave: Sound waves carry energy through the air (or other substances) as molecules in each substance are made to vibrate. When sound waves strike your ear, you hear.

Vibration: A vibration is a rapid back and forth motion.

Energy: Ability to change the temperature, motion or makeup of an object.

Larynx: Eight rings of cartilage that wrap around the top of the trachea or windpipe, also known as the voice box.

Trachea: The tube that connects your lungs to your mouth, also known as the windpipe.

Solid: A state of matter made up of very closely packed atoms.

Liquid: A state of matter that fills the container it is placed in and whose molecules are an intermediate distance apart.

Gas: A state of matter that fills the area it is in and whose molecules spread apart.

Resonance: A sound that continues after it is made.

Sound Science Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities will help reiterate new concepts and tie the ScienceWorks Lab experience to your classroom curriculum. Below you will find a classroom activity and a list of suggested resources for further information. We hope that you enjoyed your field trip. Visit us again!

Hands-on Activity: How Fast Does Sound Travel?

Materials

  • A drum or metal garbage can lid (something that makes a lot of noise when you hit it)
  • A drumstick or pole (something to hit the object with)
  • A large outdoor space

Procedure

  1. Bring the class, large drum (or noise-maker) and stick outside on playground or field.
  2. Teacher or student volunteer should move about the length of a football field away 100-120 yards with the noise maker of choice.
  3. Strike the object. Make your movement dramatic to ensure that the group is seeing your movement AND hearing the vibration of the noise maker
  4. Students should write down observations then share.
  5. Ask the following questions: would altitude affect the speed of sound? Would sound travel differently in day and night? Would sound travel change on a cold or hot day?

Discussion

The speed of sound is affected by the temperature and density of air. Sound travels faster and is heard more clearly in dense and colder air because it contains more molecules. Higher altitudes have thinner air and fewer molecules per cubic centimeter.

Ask the students about their past experiences with the sound/sight phenomenon. What happens at a large sporting event (I think of watching a player hit a baseball then hearing the sound of bat on ball contact after the ball is in the air) or when a plane flies overhead?

Suggested Resources

Books

Brown, Robert J. 333 Science Tricks and Experiments. TAB Books McGraw Hill Inc., PA. 1984.

Brown, Robert J. 333 More Science Tricks and Experiments. TAB Books McGraw Hill Inc., PA. 1984.

Churchill, E. Richard. Amazing Science Experiments with Everyday Materials. Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. New York: NY. 1991

Glover, David. Young Discoverers: Sound and Light. Kingfisher Books. New York: NY. 1993.

Kaner, Etta. Sound Science. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. New York: NY. 1991

Lowery, Lawerence F. The Everyday Science Sourcebook. Dale Seymour Publications. CA. 1985.

Popelka, Susan. Super Science with Simple Stuff. Dale Seymour Publications. CA. 1997.

Primarily Physics: Investigations in Sound, Light and Heat Energy Grades K-3. AIMS Education Foundation. 1994

Science Made Simple Grades 1-6. Frank Schaffer Productions, CA. 1997.

VanCleave, Janice. Physics for Every Kids. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York: NY. 1991

Internet

Community Learning Network

Elementary School Lesson Plans

DiscoverySchool.com—The Phenomenon of Sound: Waves

Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab

Nova: Sonic Boom Basics

Science of Sound: Activities

Sound Science (3rd-4th)

Science Works

School

50 minutes

3-5th

20, 30, 60, 100

Physical Sciences