Can+You+Hear+Me+Now?


 * Project Title:** Can You Hear Me Now?


 * Project Idea:** Based on the following fictitious scenario, (You are a new species of aquatic organism, but with the hearing ability of a human. You’re a social organism, but you’re all alone. Using you favorite music type, compose an original music score that can be heard by, and presumably attract, other members of the same species with similar interests.), students will compose an original 30 sec sound byte of their favorite music type that can be heard underwater, but will not be harmful to fish or other aquatic life.


 * Driving Question:** How can you, as an aquatic human, send a unique, non-disruptive acoustic message to attract other aquatic humans of similar interest to your habitat?


 * Content:** Project correlates with various aspects of the essential standards for middle school science. Sound/Energy (6th), Hearing Physiology (7th), Biological and Physical Features of Water (8th)


 * Major Student Product:** Written description, Original composition of at least 30 sec in length.


 * Audience:** General Public at the NC Aquarium


 * Project Teaching and Learning Guide ||
 * ** Project: Can You Hear Me Now? ** ||
 * ** Major Product(s) and Presentation **
 * ** Major Product(s) and Presentation **

students need to complete |||| ** Knowledge and Skills Needed by Students ** to successfully complete major

products and presentations |||| ** Scaffolding / Materials / Lessons to be Provided ** by the project teacher, other teachers, experts,

mentors, community members ||
 * Written description of composition development || Sound transmission in different fluid types. |||| è || Lectures (60 min), video, lab experiments in water tanks to demonstrate how water affects sound transmission. ||
 * ^  || Frequency, Pitch, Sound Wave Physics |||| è || Videos, field trip to mixing studio, experiments with the different frequency transmissions in water ||
 * || Acoustic communication among aquatic organisms |||| è || Lectures (30 min), YouTube videos, guest lecturer ||
 * ^  || Detrimental acoustic frequencies to aquatic organisms |||| è || Internet research, guest lecturer ||
 * || Criteria for choosing composition style |||| è || Reflective journal, peer discussion ||
 * ^  || Descriptive writing |||| è || writer's workshop, peer review ||
 * ||  |||| è ||   ||


 * Project Teaching and Learning Guide ||
 * ** Project: Can You Hear Me Now? ** ||
 * ** Major Product(s) and Presentation **
 * ** Major Product(s) and Presentation **

students need to complete |||| ** Knowledge and Skills Needed by Students ** to successfully complete major

products and presentations |||| ** Scaffolding / Materials / Lessons to be Provided ** by the project teacher, other teachers, experts,

mentors, community members ||
 * Music Composition || Use of audio mixing software |||| è || Project teacher, field trip to mixing studio, sound expert ||
 * ^  || Problem Solving |||| è || Reflective journal on problems and solutions ||
 * ||  |||| è ||   ||
 * ^  ||   |||| è ||   ||
 * ||  |||| è ||   ||
 * ^  ||   |||| è ||   ||
 * ||  |||| è ||   ||

Challenge: I'm still struggling with the audience component for my project. I understand what I need, I'm just not sure WHO I need.

Changes: I will limit the length of the sound bytes. I will be sure to have a very definitive explanation of the project for the students, especially regarding the language of the driving question. Use of the Goblet of Fire snipit about how the "egg" that Harry wins makes screeching noises in air, but it's the sound of the mermaids underwater. There was also a suggestion of having the students walk around the school with some type of sound proofing devices over their ears, so their communication is affected.

Cheers: I have a project, and I'll have it complete before the year begins! I feel that this is one of the most valuable professional development conferences that I have attended.