Mandy Bolton

Allison Leonard
EDEL 3100-002
25 March 2015
Professional Development: The Childrens Museum of the Upstate
i. A brief summary/description of the experience
While visiting The Childrens Museum of the Upstate (TCMU), I noticed a variety of
concepts that could be taught through hands on learning. Not only that, but I also observed that
they made everything wheelchair accessible so that children who are disabled can still participate
in the activity. The way they provided the adaptations was very admirable in the way it was not
very conspicuous. Unless the CEO had pointed out the breezeway through the climbing area, I
never would have guessed that it was for wheelchair accessibility. Also, the interactive water
engineering activity tables were set at a wheelchair accessible height. This will allow for those
who are bound to a wheelchair to be able to interact with and manipulate, just as all of the nondisabled children are able to.
The possibility of what one can learn while there seems endless. They have exhibits that
teach just about anythingfrom water diversion and flow to muscle endurance and flexibility.
The museum opened my eyes to a more hands-on approach to learning. Appeasing kinesthetic
learners is something I wish to strive for when I become a teacher. As a preferential-kinesthetic
learner, myself, I wish there were more activities I could have done in grade school to help me
understand the more abstract concepts. For instance, when I was a student learning the effects of
shoaling in Charleston Harbor, I would have greatly benefitted from being able to use

manipulatives in a real-world environment that TCMU provided in the Reedy River Bend
exhibit.
ii. Design/Describe a lesson plan/ scholastic experience/ learning activity in a format of your
choice, including:
a. Objectives/ Goals

The students will understand the effects of wire thickness on sound waves.
The students will understand the effects of tension on wire, and how it changes

sound waves.
Vocabulary: frequency, pitch, amplitude, sound wave, vibrate, volume,
wavelength

b. Sequence/Activity description
1. Explain the basics of sound waves.
a. Definition of a sound wave
i. How amplitude, pitch, frequency, vibration, volume and
wavelength are interconnected.
b. How to measure frequency
i. What effects frequency?
1. Activity will begin.
a. Ask students to try to make a higher pitch using the
same string.
b. Then get strings to match pitch using strings of
different thicknesses.
c. Ask students to informally analyze the frequency of
sound waves visually on the guitar drum exhibit.
(Some will appear to have a higher amplitude and
shorter frequency.)
c. Assessment (formal or informal)

1. Formal: (Guided lab report) Complete a worksheet similar to a lab report. The
report will ask specific questions regarding vocabulary and the results found
during the activity.
2. Informal: Briefly go over vocabulary before lab activity to make sure they have a
basic understanding of the concepts. Walk around the room during the activity
asking questions of how they could accomplish a different pitch or how they
could shorten the frequency.
iii. Relate this lesson to something that we have explored or discussed in class
This activity allows students to do some exploratory learning, while practicing the skill of
critical listening. Students are more likely to grasp a concept once they have discovered it
themselves. The sense of accomplishment will create another connection to the material that
will help them to retrieve it on the test. As mentioned before, they will also be working on their
critical listening skills. Critical listening is how students blend sounds together to create a jingle
or melody. While, they would not be reproducing a melody or jingle, they would be matching
pitch amongst group members and if the class handles the activity well, we could later use the
instruments as a break from class work. This would also allow for another informal assessment
to help the students recall material before exam day. A light-hearted activity such as this amongst
friends is a great de-stresser and an even better way of reinforcing key concepts.