In continuing our studies of radio advertising, students dug into physics this week as they explored the nature of waves (in preparation to discuss radio waves and radio transmission).
We began with a discussion about images that come to mind when we think about waves. Many students brought up waves in a pool or the ocean, while others pointed out that sound and light travels in waves as well. Cruz took it upon himself to lead the class in a demonstration and hands-on exploration of waves. He and classmates filled various containers with water and tested out how different waves are made--What happened if we blew on the water versus shook the container? What happens if we add an object to the water? Why do some waves move the object while in other cases the object stays in the same place, bobbing up and down? Students learned different terms for measuring waves, such as wavelength and amplitude. Students then broke out into groups based on interest to research one of the following topics and report their information back to the class: sound waves, light waves, and the science of hearing. This will continue into next week, as we missed a couple homeroom periods due to the snow days. Students inquired more deeply about mechanical waves with a class-made wave machine made out of duct tape, gummies, and coffee stirrers (see blog for photos). We used this machine to test out different types of waves and the measurements we have been learning about (wavelengths, amplitudes, frequencies): How could we make the wave have shorter wavelengths? Longer wavelengths? Higher and lower amplitudes? Students were stumped with the question of speed--hitting gummies faster or slower didn’t seem to change the speed of the wave. Then, they realized the answer was quite tasty...we had to remove gummies from the machine! With less matter involved, the waves zipped through the medium (duct tape). Mechanical waves provide a great introduction to waves since they travel through a medium, like energy passing through a rope, the duct tape in our machine, or a wave on the ocean. These are all great visuals and concrete examples of waves that students can see in action. This prepared students for our next discussion, which blew many of their minds: the electromagnetic spectrum.
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As part of our studies for radio advertising and the science of sound recording devices, students “dissected” an old stereo/speaker system. Before taking it apart, we spent time observing the machine (parts we saw, buttons, technical language used). We began by unscrewing easily distinguishable parts...then we kind of just busted the thing open! Students LOVED this activity, and so many great observations and questions were brought up as we explored. For instance, as we took apart the speakers, students noticed that there was a huge magnet inside! Together we discussed how this piece helps the speakers to create various sounds. Some students even brought in their own tools the following day to unsolder some of the pieces.
As part of our critical media projects, students are learning about the history of radio and recording technologies that allowed the beginnings of mass communication and advertising. This week we visited a local radio station, Michigan Public Radio, to take a closer look at the behind the scenes of this profession! Students were able to use some of the technology and record themselves being interviewed.
Students finished their final product for our first project, Reading the Landscape: A Story of Place! We are all very proud of how it turned out and we had a few special moments this week as students were able to show Shawn Severance, local naturalist who helped us throughout this project, their work as well as Matt Grocoff, founder of Thrive Collaborative and Veridian at County Farm. Students autographed their copies of the book. One copy will live at Summers-Knoll and another will live at the Veridian site, serving to educate the community on the history of the area and the role we play in it.
Students participated in front of the school on Friday 1/31/20 about the advertising techniques we have been studying. Students showed their own advertisements they have created and explained how various techniques and narratives are used by agencies to "catch us" and influence us to consume products in specific ways.
On Wednesday we took a hike with Shawn Severance, a naturalist from County Farm Park. Shawn was a tremendous resource during our first project and the students took to her calm essence right away. Although this doesn’t relate to our current project, it’s always nice to get outside and explore. Shawn helped students learn how to track various animal prints, from mice to rabbits to coyotes and foxes.
Here are a few video snippets from today's brainstorming session on Need-To-Know questions for our Critical Media Project!
This week we kicked-off our next project, The Critical Media Project. In this project, students explore the essential question: how do advertisements affect our daily lives and how can we raise awareness of this in ourselves and our community? Before we dive into our material, students spent time developing a list of "Need-To-Know" questions, or items that are puzzling to them that they want to explore during the project. You can find photos of this process, as well as their questions, above!
This week we spent some of our math time baking! This is a great way to practice our measurement skills, as well as other concepts like adding fractions, in a hands-on, yummy way. We also get to use our fresh chicken eggs in the process!
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