Analog and Digital Signals NGSS Middle School Science CER Unit MS-PS4-3
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Description
This FUN, ENGAGING and HANDS ON set of NGSS middle school activities and lessons explores and models analog vs digital signals using a spring toy (Slinky)! This mini-unit of labs explicitly shows students why digital/digitized signals are more reliable than analog signals through a CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning format) that aligns to the NGSS standard MS-P4-3: Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals. The focus of this unit is on electromagnetic waves in modern communication technologies such as sending images.
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The focus of this unit is on electromagnetic waves in modern communication technologies such as sending images. It is a one-two week unit that should take place after a basic understanding of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength of waves has been achieved and modeled. There are 6 activities, a Venn Diagram and Card Sort Activity that the students participate in through groups of 4-5, but each activity can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the length of time the teacher wants to spend on it. Extension ideas and an answer key are also provided! This lesson plan is teacher-friendly as it was designed for the teacher to follow through the lesson with the students. See unit overview below for specific information about the unit!
I don't know about you, but when I saw this Performance Expectation, I struggled with how I was going to teach this and make it a great learning experience!! Lucky for me (and YOU!), I created this interactive one-two week bundled unit/lesson plans to teach students this standard. I even pooled together some information about digital vs. analog signals in communication for the teacher in case it is confusing!
**NEWLY UPDATED FOR 2019 BASED ON FEEDBACK**
This unit includes:
- background for the teacher
- teacher tips
- student worksheets for 6 activities
- colorful picture Card Sort of analog and digital examples
- Venn Diagram with word bank
- student jobs & name tags
- image of how to tape the desks
- links for video clips
- conclusions for each station
- final conclusions for the unit
- answer keys
- ideas for extensions (new)
Unit Overview
Introduction: Class discussion about the words "digital" and "analog" and read an introduction about the relationship between texting/phone calls/emails to waves
- Testable Question: Are digitized signals a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals?
- Students make a claim
- Gather evidence through 6 activities
Activity 1: Review and practice amplitude, wavelength and frequency
Activity 2: Card sort using an images of analog and digital examples
Activity 3: Students model digital waves (0s and 1s)
Activity 4: Students model analog waves (different amplitudes) and compare
Activity 5: Students create and send a low resolution image
Activity 6: Students create and send a higher resolution image
***Conclusion Questions, Venn Diagram, and Ideas for Extensions are included!
Simple Materials per group of 4: one regular metal spring toy, one set of name tags included (transmitter, anchor, receiver, image generator), one blindfold or keep eyes shut, one clipboard (not necessary), graph paper, pencil, pre-taped desks (image and directions included)
Looking for assessments for MS-PS4 standards?
MS-PS4-1 Waves Amplitude and Energy Assessment Questions
MS-PS4-2 Waves Reflect, Absorb, and Transmit Assessment Questions
MS-PS4-3 Analog and Digital Signals Assessment Questions
If you want ALL of the MS-LS4 WAVES Assessments Questions, click here! MS-PS4 Bundle
Check back for more NGSS Assessments for Physical, Life, and Earth Sciences!
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If you’re looking for other NGSS aligned Waves lessons and labs, check out the links below:
Introduction to Waves Activity
Properties of Waves PowerPoint and Foldable
How Do Sunglasses Work? Modeling Reflect/Transmit/Absorb
Electromagnetic Spectrum Activity
NGSS Unit Template for Planning (Example Included)
***Buy the "Waves" Bundle and save $$ here: Waves Bundle
Interested in other NGSS aligned physical science products? Check out the links below:
Assessment Questions & Tasks for MS-PS1
Crosscutting Concepts Lab Stations
Human Impact Investigation & STEM Project
Synthetic and Natural Resources STEM Project
Prevent a Chemical Change With Pennies Lab
Magnetic Fields and Eating Nails For Breakfast Lab
Modeling Particle Motion, State, and Temperature Lab
Physical and Chemical Changes Minilabs
Dry Ice Demonstration on Sublimation
Potential and Kinetic Energy Worksheet
Modeling Compounds and Molecules with Fasteners
Rutherford's Discovery of the Nucleus Lab (FREE)
Looking for other NGSS lessons, units, activities, etc.? Check out my store for more here: Store Link.
Buy the bundle to have access to all NGSS resources!
NGSS Physical Science Bundle: Click Here
NGSS Life Science Bundle: Click Here
NGSS Earth Science Bundle: Click Here
NGSS All Resources Bundle: Click Here
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