The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Sounds of Music
Sounds of Music STEAM PBL
A 6th-8th grade STEM lesson
Cassie Strahota
2023
Notes for teachers
This is a problem-based unit that can take up to 2 weeks to finish if done within several 60-70 minute class periods.
Students will need access to a makerspace where they can get creative with a variety of different materials to create their models or prototypes.
Students will create a musical instrument out of recyclable materials as well as explain how the instrument produces sounds by explaining the science behind it.You will be a facilitator to this process.
List of Materials:
***Basic Makerspace materials, such as:
Standards
Science;
8.P4U1.3
Construct an explanation on how energy can be transferred from one energy store to another.
8.P4U1.4
Develop and use mathematical models to explain wave characteristics and interactions.
8.P4U2.5
Develop a solution to increase efficiency when transferring energy from one source to another.
LA8-W-1-A
Focus Standards
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
LA8-SL-5
Focus Standard
Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.
LA8-W-4
Focus Standard
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. .
LA8-W-6
Focus Standard
Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
Standards
ENGINEERING:
MS-ETS1-1.
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-2.
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
MS-ETS1-3.
Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
MS-ETS1-4.
Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Standards
Social Studies:
8.SP4.2 Evaluate the influence of various causes of events and developments in the past.
8.SP1.1 Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
8.SP1.2 Classify a series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
8.SP1.3 Evaluate the significance of past events and their effect on students’ lives and society.
8.SP1.4 Use questions generated about individuals and groups to analyze why they, and the developments they shaped, are historically significant.
Math
8.EE.1 Understand and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions.
8.EE.3 Use numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times an integer power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities, and express how many times larger or smaller one is than the other.
8.EE.5 Graph proportional relationships interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in
different ways. For example, compare a distance-time graph to a distance-time equation to determine which of two moving objects has greater speed
Objectives:
Students will create a Google slideshow presentation to document their progress through the engineering design process, which includes: researching the science of sound, then creating an instrument out of recyclable materials.
Agenda
PBL Unit can be done once weekly for 9 weeks, or could be done over a two-week period in classes that are 60-70 minutes in length
For example, I did “STEAM Fridays” where we dedicated this day each week to STEAM.
My school also often did “STEAM Week” where we spent the entire week working on a project such as this.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
Introduction:
Music is a form of art that uses vocal or instrumental sounds to create a composition. It can help us think better, analyze matters faster, and work more efficiently, not to mention how it makes us feel. We know the effect music has on us, but have you ever wondered about the Science behind music? How is sound produced and made to be musical?
Our task: How could we use the Science of music to create an instrument out of recyclable materials?
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
DRIVING QUESTIONS: These are meant as ideas to spur your own inquiry:
CREATE A SLIDESHOW TO KEEP AN “ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK”. This will document your progress as you go through the Engineering Design Process. Answer the questions below as you progress through the process.
ASK PHASE~ *** Be sure to cite your sources!
SCIENCE:
MATH:
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Hands-on Activity Instructions
IMAGINE Phase~
PLAN Phase~
CREATE Phase~
IMPROVE Phase~
COMMUNICATE Phase~
*****DON’T FORGET WORKS CITED SLIDE!
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Possible Links to begin your research:
DIRECTIONS:
Assessment
Differentiation
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Ideas for extension: