IV. PHYSICAL SCIENCE TOPICS

1. Matter and Energy
2. Changes in Matter
3. Motion of Objects
4. Waves and Vibrations

Additional Sites for Physical Science

1. Interactive Sites/Animations/Videos/Photographs
2. Lessons/Activities/Information
3. Searches/Periodicals/Projects
4. General Science Resources (Miscellaneous Sites)

Elementary

1. Benchmark 1 - "Describe sounds in terms of their properties (pitch, loudness)."
   1. BBC Science: Changing Sounds - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1&2) New
      On this site children will investigate the properties of sound and pitch using a guitar, drum, and bottle of water. There is also a followup exercise that allows children to sort recorders according to sound and pitch.
   2. Candemonium - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1&2)
      Outstanding - In this activity students make a musical instrument called a Bonko to investigate differences in pitch, frequency, and loudness. This site will help teacher's demonstrate how sounds are made. Background information on sound is also provided for the teacher. Students will love this hands-on activity.
   3. Crackling Noise - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1)
      If you have access to "Sound Wave", you can listen to and compare actual sounds. The discussion points out the differences in loudness and pitch. Good explanations. This site has Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced options.
   4. Magic School Bus Gets An Earful - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1)
      Students will match sounds with the correct picture. The game is simple to play, and is appropriate for students in grades K-2.
   5. Revisewise Science: Sound - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1)
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of sound. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.
2. Benchmark 2 - "Explain how sounds are made."
   1. BBC Science: Changing Sounds - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.1&2) New
      On this site children will investigate the properties of sound and pitch using a guitar, drum, and bottle of water. There is also a followup exercise that allows children to sort recorders according to sound and pitch.
   2. Candemonium - Waves & Vibrations(IV.4.E.1&2)
      Outstanding - In this activity students make a musical instrument called a Bonko to investigate differences in pitch, frequency, and loudness. Recycle some cans to make a BONKO for great music! Bonkos are made from cans of different sizes and all sound different. This teacher's lesson plan will help teachers demonstrate how sounds are made. Background information for the teacher is also provided. This a plan for a hands-on activity.
   3. Energy/Light.Heat/Sound - Waves & Vibrations (EL) (PWV2) (IV.4.E.2)
      Lesson plan that uses a tuning fork and a variety of objects to demonstrate how sound is created and that it travels in waves. Extension activities and writing ideas are included.
   4. Ear Guitar - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.2)
      This site gives a detailed lesson plan for showing students how sounds are made. The students create (or are given) homemade ear guitars. These are used to transmit sound when the student plucks the string or talks through the device. Background information for the teacher is also provided.
   5. Make a Simple Duck Call - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.2)
      Elementary students construct a duck call using a kitchen straw and a pair of scissors. A printable sheet is provided to hand out to your kids with easy instructions for them to read. You must click on the experiment icon in order to get to this lab.
   6. Secret Bells - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.2)
      This lesson plan/activity involves students using various items such as a hanger , spoon, and metal spatula to create vibrations and sound. Students can become aware of the various sounds created by each item. Background information for the teacher is provided.
   7. Sound - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.2)
      This site defines sound. It uses a speaker sound cone to demonstrate pressure's changing effects. This is a teacher lesson plan.
3. Benchmark 3 - "Use prisms and filters with light sources to produce various colors of light."
   1. Amazing Space: Star Light Star Bright - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.3)
      This site offers several links to activities and information about space, but the Star Light Star Bright link will take the students to four activities that help them see, among other things, the connection between the color of a star and how hot the star is. There are several good interactive links on this one site.
   2. Basic Prism - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.3)
      Interactive site in which students can work with a prism.
   3. Optics For Kids - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.3&4)
      This presentation has two points: Light Basics and Controlling Light. A teacher resource with background information that includes graphics and links to student activities.
4. Benchmark 4 - "Explain how shadows are made."
   1. BBC Science: Light and Dark - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4) New
      This is an interactive site for lower elementary that helps reinfoce the concept of light and darkness. Children are encouraged to identify sources of light. An online quiz is included.
   2. BBC Science: Light and Shadows - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4) New
      This is an interactive site that gives children the chance to observe the relationship between light and shadows. It allows children the chance to compare both sunlight and moon light. A quiz is included.
   3. Measuring With Shadows - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      This unique site shows students how they can measure the height of a tall object by measuring its shadow. The interactive site shows the math involved in finding the height of a dinosaur depending on the time of day and the length of the shadow it casts. Neat demonstration of a real world situation.
   4. Mix-N-Match - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      Students can play with the red, blue, and green light to make millions of colors. This activity is appropriate for all elementary students.
   5. Optics For Kids - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.3&4)
      This presentation has two points: Light Basics and Controlling Light. A teacher resource with background information that includes graphics and links to student activities.
   6. Projecting Shadows - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      This is a great site that offers the student an opportunity to turn a light off and on to cast a shadow around a shape. The site asks questions and offers information. There are also links to other sites that have information and interactive activities about CAT scans and other shadow imaging.
   7. ReviseWise Science: Light - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of light and shadows. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available. Appropriate for grades K-3.
   8. Shadow: Image and Color - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      This site offers the student an opportunity to control colored light that casts a shadow on a wall by shining around an object. The site offers options to change the colors and width of the light to vary the shadows that are cast and also to move the object. Also included are extensions into combinations of colors and mixing colors.
   9. The Science of Light: Colored Shadows - Waves & Vibrations (IV.4.E.4)
      This site allows the student to move the colored shadows cast by green and red lights to achieve different objectives; for example, to make one shadow that is black. The site also has links to other information about light in color and the laws of light.