Physics Phenomenon

School:: Immokalee Middle
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Melanie Villa
: Gregory Rameau, Sidney Burnett, Anthony Fernando, Daniela Hinton
Students Impacted:: 1376
Grade:: 6-8
Date:: September 7, 2016

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Suncoast Credit Union - $2,000.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 475

Thank you for the opportunity to show our students a Physics Phenomenon! With our money from the grant, we were able to purchase a class set of CPO Wave Model equipment. "The Properties of Waves" is a standard students often struggle with, but with our new equiment, students could see and experience the characteristics of waves, which helped lead them to a better understanding of the standard.

Through the wave investigations, students created standing waves and explored the relationship between frequency and wavelength. With this equipment, students are the scientists and use the wave kits to build the device on which they create and measure waves. Then, students carry out the experiment with their groups using the device they have built.

Through this hands-on method of learning, students engage actively with material and are able to better understand it and explain it to others. Students enjoy working in groups and are able to learn team-work skills and help each other learn. Moreover, these devices help to bring technology into the classroom and give students experiences that will help them advance in their mathematical and computational thinking as well.

Now that we have mastered waves, our next experiments will include creating a pendulum and exploring the relationship between the frequency and perception of sound in music, which is another one of the many experiments that can be conduted with our new equipment!

grant photo

Students use the data collector to explore the mat

grant photo

Students generate and measure waves.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Through this grant, 1376 students will be able to experience hands-on, inquiry based learning. The students will be able to complete lab activities using technology to better understand the properties of waves.

What will be done with my students

Help us engage student brains to master Florida Science Standards! The CPO Science Link Wave Models will bring key scientific concepts to life! Through the funding of this grant, students will be able to experience the hard to grasp concepts of harmonic motion, waves, and sound in a tangible and exciting way. Students will use a pendulum to investigate harmonic motion, sound, and waves. They will also explore wavelength, frequency, resonance beats, natural frequency, and interference in a hands-on lab experience. Moreover, students will soar to a new level of understanding of technology and its impact on science with tablet-enabled learning experiences and online multimedia content.

Benefits to my students

Year after year, our students struggle with the properties of waves. Reading about topics in books and then attempting to visualize them in their minds is so challenging for middle school students. With the help of the Wave Model kit, teachers will create interactive lab experiences for students, which will allow them to be immersed in a learning environment that challenges students to create questions and then find the answers. With this inquiry-based system of learning and discovery, students will be on the path to meeting standards without even realizing it, as they engage with Florida Science Standards in a new way.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has sufficient evidence to support the use of hands-on learning activities. In fact, science students who participate in weekly hands-on labs, out-perform their peers by more than 40% of a grade level. (U.S. Department of Education, 1999). Students need these types of experiences to get them hooked on learning and gain a better grasp of science state standards.

Also, studies have found that "Technology offers opportunities for learner-control, increased motivation,
connections to the real world, and data-driven assessments tied to content standards that, when implemented systemically, enhance student achievement as measured in a variety of ways, including, but not exclusively limited to, standardized achievement tests." (Valdez, 1999) These class activities utilizing hands-on labs and technology will improve student performance and peak student interest in science.

US Dept of Education (1999) Performance Report. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/AnnualPlan2001/index.html on September 1, 2016.

Valdez, G. (1999). Computer-Based Technology and Learning: Evolving Uses and Expectations. NCREL, Oakbrook, IL.

Budget Narrative

The Wave Models Basic Classroom Package includes 1 Teacher’s Guide, Curiosity Place Access, Exploros Access, 6 Equipment Units.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Wave Models Basic Classroom Package	$2,000.00
	Total:	$2,000.00

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