1.27
Energy and Communications: How Can We Send and Receive Information?
New York Science, Technology and Society Education Project (NYSTEP). Problem-Solving Activities for Middle-Level Science series. Albany, N.Y.: NYSTEP, 1993.
Program Overview
The Problem-Solving Activities for Middle-Level Science series consists of 8 stand-alone modules. Each module contains 2 to 6 units focused on technological and/or ethical aspects of issues involving science, technology, and society. The series was designed so that teachers might select modules and units that address local needs and draw on local community resources. A module requires 3 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on the units selected. Supplies and equipment may be required that are not typically part of a school's science inventory.
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
7-8.
Energy and Communications introduces students to different types of electronic communication and technology. During the module, students explore some of the trade-offs in communication technologies of different time periods. They build a series circuit and a parallel circuit to light a bulb, and then design, construct, and use a lightbulb telegraph communications system. In a unit on electromagnetism and sound, students make an electromagnet and use it to build a working speaker. Students then use lenses and other devices to investigate the various ways that light can be amplified, reduced, or manipulated. They also build a photophone and use it to send and receive messages. In a final unit they design, construct, and refine a telecommunications system that uses Lucite rods as an analogue for systems employing fiber optics.
Energy and Communications is designed to be completed over a 4- to 6-week period. The module is divided into 4 units, each of which has directions for its activities, a bibliography, interdisciplinary connections (to technology, social studies, language arts, mathematics, health, home and career skills, arts, and foreign languages/culture), and suggestions for extensions.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; change, constancy, and measurement.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Transfer of energy.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Abilities of technological design; understandings about science and technology.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Science and technology in society.
Prices:
Teacher's guide: In New York State, free with attendance at workshop; outside New York, $7.
Publisher/supplier:
New York Science, Technology and Society Education Project.
Materials:
Available locally, or from commercial suppliers.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Communication, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ Handling Information, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur.
Electric circuits, Physical Sciences: Electrical Connections, ~ Electromagnetism, Inventor's Lab, ~ Off the Wall Science: A Poster Series Revisited, ~ Quick Energy and Beyond: Ideas for the 90's, ~ Science Projects about Electricity and Magnets, ~ Using the Learning Cycle to Teach Physical Science: A Hands-on Approach for the Middle Grades, Multi & Applied Sciences: Scientific Theories.
Electromagnetism, Physical Sciences: Electricity and Magnetism, ~ Magnets and Motors, ~ Electromagnetism, Inventor's Lab, ~ Flying Tinsel: An Unusual Approach to Teaching Electricity, ~ Science Investigations for Intermediate Students, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science Interactions: Course 3.
Electromagnets, Physical Sciences: Electromagnetism, Inventor's Lab, ~ Electricity and Magnetism, ~ Magnetism, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Science Interactions: Course 3.
Fiber optics, Physical Sciences: Sound and Light, Multi & Applied Sciences: JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum.
Lenses, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Sound and Light, Lenses and Mirrors, ~ More Than Magnifiers, ~ Light, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Science Projects about Light, ~ The Wizard's Lab: Exhibit Guide, Life Sciences: Microworlds, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, Multi & Applied Sciences: Prime Science: Level B, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Scientific Theories, ~ The Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments: Activities, Projects, and Science Fun.
Light, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Sound and Light, ~ Bubble-ology, ~ Color Analyzers, ~ Color and Light, Lenses and Mirrors, ~ Experiments with Bubbles, ~ How Everyday Things Work: 60 Descriptions and Activities, ~ Light, ~ Light, ~ The Magic Wand and Other Bright Experiments on Light and Color, ~ Optics, ~ Personal Science Laboratory Light Experiments, ~ Physical Science Activities for Elementary and Middle School, ~ Science Investigations for Intermediate Students, ~ Science Projects about Light, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Targeting Students' Science Misconceptions: Physical Science Concepts Using the Conceptual Change Model, Life Sciences: Exploring Classroom Hydroponics, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, Multi & Applied Sciences: Matter and Energy in the Biosphere, ~ Prime Science: Level B, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Blue, ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ Scientific Theories, ~ Science on a Shoestring.
Sound, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Sound and Light, Experiments with Balloons, ~ How Everyday Things Work: 60 Descriptions and Activities, ~ Physical Science Activities for Elementary and Middle School, ~ Project SEED: Sourcebook of Demonstrations, Activities, and Experiments, ~ Science Investigations for Intermediate Students, ~ Sound, ~ Targeting Students' Science Misconceptions: Physical Science Concepts Using the Conceptual Change Model, ~ The Wizard's Lab: Exhibit Guide, Environmental Sciences: Chemicals, Health, Environment, and Me (CHEM 2: Enhanced Program), Multi & Applied Sciences: Prime Science: Level B, ~ SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Blue, ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ The Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments: Activities, Projects, and Science Fun, ~ Science on a Shoestring.
Technology, Physical Sciences: Bubble-ology, Flight Lab, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, Multi & Applied Sciences: Investigating Diversity and Limits, ~ The Technology of Paper, ~ Critical Issues in Today's World: A Module for Grades 4-7, ~ Science and Technology by Design: 3, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Telecommunication, Multi & Applied Sciences: How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate.
Telegraph, Physical Sciences: Electromagnetism, Flying Tinsel: An Unusual Approach to Teaching Electricity, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8).
