5th Science – Exploring Waves

As we continue our investigation to determine how the Dorito shipping container ended up on the shore of the beach, we decided that it would be important to focus on waves this week.

The 5th grade scientists had lots of great ideas about waves. Through our questioning, wonders, and thoughts we decided that it would be best to create waves to understand how they move and work.

Our ‘I Can’ statement this week was as follows:

” I can plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to measure patterns in the waves produced when the spacing, timing, and depth of the paddle pushes in a bin of water is varied.”

Before conducting the lab, each group of students had to figure out a plan on how they would need to move the paddle to be able to create taller waves, shorter waves, close together waves, and farther apart waves.

Here is one groups work:

Along with this, to make things go smoothly, each group assigned each member a role for each trial so everyone had a part in the lab. Students switched between videoing the waves in slow motion, being the paddle pusher, measuring how high the paddle was being moved in the water, and if it was a group of a 4 – someone to clean up any access water.

As students completed each trial with the goal of creating a certain type of wave, they recorded what their waves looked like after watching the slow motion video so they could model an accurate representation of what the waves actually looked like.

Although we have not had time to reflect and share out our data, noticings, and wonderings YET (we will on Monday!), I was so impressed with the scientists hard work and eagerness to take part in this lab. It was a great way to end the week in science and I am so looking forward to sharing out and making new discoveries next week!

Have a great weekend,

Gev. McAdams

1 Comment on 5th Science – Exploring Waves

  1. AL Lippman
    March 2, 2020 at 2:46 am (4 years ago)

    Learning and smiles. Looks great!

    Reply

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