FRONTPAGE
Why a Signal Sound is heard when New Generation
Cars Are Parking in Narrow Areas?
Elementary Science and Technology Lesson Grade 6
Learning Area of Physical Events- Teaching- learning Module for Unit Light and Sound
Abstract
This module leads to an activity for sixth grade students using Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0. The main science
background of this activity is on the properties of sound and learning gains are from sixth grade Turkish science
and technology curriculum. In this activity, students will discuss the usage of sensors in parking. The activity is
built on the information of :
- Student recognizes that sound is spread in waves to each direction
- Student explores with an experiment that when sound wave hits a surface, it reflects.
- Student explains that echo is the result of reflection of sound.
- Student gives examples situations where reflection of sound is used in science and technology.
This module is based on the working principles of ultrasonic sensors in other words parking sensors. In the
module, the properties of the ultrasonic sensors are integrated to the science (physics) topics such as sound,
reflection of sound etc. When students are working on the ultrasonic sensor, they will have also possibility to
learn the physics concepts mentioned above.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
1
The activity also includes construction of robot and ultrasonic sensor which enable to detect objects at a max
range of about 250 cm. In the activity, a robot car is constructed and ultrasonic sensor is attached to the
robotic car to detect the objects behind or front of car. It is aimed in this study that students will understand
not only physics concepts but also will understand how a scientific inquiry can be implemented using robotics.
Sections Included
1. Student Activities
(for students)
2. Teaching Guide
3. Assessment
4. Teacher Notes
Describes the scenario in more detail and tasks the students should perform
Suggests a teaching approach
Gives suggested formative assessment strategies
Gives expectations of calculations to be carried out by students
Overall Objectives/Competencies
The Students are expected to:
-
Decide with justification why a signal is heard when new generation cars are parking.
Construct a robotic car to test ultrasonic sensor to detect objects around it.
Control the robotic car in different areas writing a suitable computer program using NXT 2.1.
Cooperate as a member of group to answer the question which is mentioned in title.
Notice that the sound is spread in every direction in waves.
Explore with experiment that the sound reflects when it hits a surface.
Give examples on how the reflection of sound is used in science and technology.
Curriculum Content: Properties of sound, reflection of sound, sound diffusion.
Kind of Activity: Constructing robotic car using Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0, decision making on why a signal is
heard when new generation cars are parking.
Anticipated Time: 4 lessons
This unique teaching-learning material is intended to guide the teacher towards promoting students’
scientific literacy by recognising learning in 4 domains – intellectual development, the process and nature of
science, personal development and social development. Its uniqueness extends to an approach to science
lessons which is designed to be popular and relevant. For this the approach is intentionally from society to
science and attempts to specifically meet student learning needs.
This uniqueness is specifically exhibited by:
1. a society related and issue-based title (supported in the student guide by a scenario);
2. student-centred emphasis on scientific problem solving, encompassing the learning of a range of
educational and scientific goals;
3. including socio-scientific decision making to relate the science acquired to societal needs for
responsible citizenship.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
2
STUDENT HANDOUT 1
Name:
Surname:
Class:
Why a Signal Sound is heard when New Generation
Cars Are Parking in Narrow Areas?
The Scenario
In daily life especially in crowded cities, people have problems about parking their cars. Every day, people park
their cars in somewhere. But sometimes when they parking, car can be hit to other where stands in front or
behind of the car and in Turkey, it can lead to argument between people. Many small accidents occur in past
years due to park problems. But are you happy with this result? Would you be interested in solving the
problem about parking? Can you overcome this situation with a signal?
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
3
Your Task
Within the whole class:
1. Discuss the possibility of using ultrasonic sensors integrated on the car to solve parking problems.
2. Search on the properties of sound, ultrasonic sensors, reflection of sound and sound diffusion.
In groups:
1. Construct a robotic car using Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0.
2. Integrate the ultrasonic sensor to the robotic car.
3. Writing computer program for the ultrasonic sensor using NXT 2.1 programming and upload it to the robotic
car.
4. Test your cars’ parking in different distances.
As a class:
1. Presentation, discussion and comparison of each group’s outcomes.
2. Reach final conclusion on:
How it might be possible with the ultrasonic sensors to overcome parking problems?
3. Discuss the possibility of integrating the ultrasonic sensors to all of the cars? Do you think that it is
economic?
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
4
STUDENT HANDOUT 2
The following steps/ questions are to help you to complete your project successfully:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the sound?
How is sound spread?
What is ultrasonic sensor?
How an ultrasonic sensor works?
What happens when sound hit a surface?
Your task is to prepare a presentation using web or sources provided by your teacher and present them in
classroom.
STUDENT HANDOUT 3
1. Please try to understand the working principle of ultrasonic sensors using NXT 2.0. You will find the
ultrasonic sensor presented in figure 1.
Figure 1: Working principle of ultrasonic sensor
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
5
STUDENT HANDOUT 4
1. Please make a robotic car using Lego Mindstorms NXT and blocks. Attached you can find an example to
construct a robotic car.
2. When you complete your robotic car, please integrate the ultrasonic sensor to the car.
3. Please upload the NXT program to your robotic car using USB cable.
4. Please test your robotic car.
(it is just an example you can change distances whatever you want)
Please note that your robotic car must give an error when it comes near 30 cm and then car must
stop after 2 second
You can find the construction steps for robotic-car:
Appendix 1
5. Write an appropriate program using NXT 2.1 programming.
The Instruction Steps For Programming the robotic car:
Appendix 2
STUDENT HANDOUT 5
Now it is time to make a decision about:
1.
2.
How it might be possible with the ultrasonic sensors to overcome parking problems?
Discuss the possibility of integrating the ultrasonic sensors to all of the cars? Do you think that it is
economic?
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
6
V
V= 0
Ultrasonic sensor
BARRIER
After 2 seconds
x < 30 cm
x > 30 cm
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
7
APPENDIX 1:
CONSTRUCTING A ROBOTIC-CAR WİTH ULTRASONIC AND COLOR SENSORS
MATERIAL 1
STEP 1
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
8
STEP 2
MATERIAL 2
STEP 3
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
9
MATERIAL 3
STEP 4
MATERIAL 4
STEP 5
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
10
STEP 6
STEP 7
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
11
MATERIAL 5
STEP 8-a
STEP 8-b
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
12
MATERIAL 6
STEP 10
STEP 9
STEP 11
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
13
MATERIAL 7
STEP 12
STEP 14
STEP 13
STEP 15-a
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
14
STEP 15-b
MATERIAL 8
STEP 16-b
STEP 16-a
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
15
STEP 16-c
MATERIAL 9
STEP 17
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
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HERE IS YOUR CAR
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
17
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
18
APPENDIX 2: Programming Robotic car
1. Firstly Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.1 Programme is opened and from the section of “common” the “move”
button is added with %75 engine power.
2. Secondly, from the “wait” button, the distance symbol is added.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
19
3. Thirdly, the move button is added again.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
20
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
21
TEACHING GUIDE
Why a Signal Sound is Heard When the New
Generation Cars Are Parking in Narrow Areas?
The activity relates to:




Recognizing that sound is spread in waves in each direction.
Experimenting that sound reflects when it hits a surface.
Understanding the function of ultrasonic sensor.
Introducing the concept of sound.
Lesson Learning Outcomes
Lesson 1
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to be able to:
-
Be familiar with NXT 2.0 programme.
Construct the robot kits for robotic car.
Lesson 2
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to be able to:
Understand the working principles of ultrasonic sensor
Integrate the ultrasonic sensor to the robotic car.
Write different computer program to test the robotic car.
Lesson 3
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to be able to:
Notice that sound is spread in waves.
Know that what happens to sound when it hits a surface.
Lesson 4
At the end of this lesson, students are expected to be able to:
Understand the spread of sound
Understand the reflection of sound
Give examples the situations where reflection of sound is used in science and technology
Suggested Teaching Strategies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lesson begins with the socio-scientific issue which occurs in the scenario.
Teacher explains the role of robotics and ultrasonic sensor for solving the problem in the scenario and
gives information about this.
Students who are divided into groups (maximum 5 students) construct a robotic car by using robotic
kits and integrate ultrasonic sensor to the robotic car.
Students write a suitable computer programme by using NXT 2.1. They upload them to the robotic car.
Results are discussed in the classroom by students.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
22
NOTES FOR TEACHER
Why a Signal Sound is Heard When New Generation
Cars Are Parking in Narrow Areas?
For the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0



The students should have background information about Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 and it’s working
principle to work with them.
It will take one hour class time to teach your students about Lego Mindstorms if they do not have
enough information.
The detailed information can be found on the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 web page:
www.mindstorms.lego.com
For the Science and Technology Curriculum



It can be useful to show some videos about working principles of ultrasonic sensors.
It can be also useful to show some videos about sound diffusion, reflection of sound and properties of
sound.
It can be useful to guide students to make an investigation which includes the application areas of
sound in daily life.
What is Sound?
To start understanding what sound is, imagine there were people, standing shoulder to shoulder, and you are
looking down on them from up high. What you see are the peoples' heads. What would happen if person 1
suddenly got pushed towards the right, into person 2? Person 1 knocking into person 2 creates something of a
"chain reaction," because the people are all so close togehter. 1 pushes into 2. While 1 recovers, 2 pushes into
3. While 2 recovers, 3 pushes into 4, and so on. What we get is something like "the wave" sporting fans do in a
stadium. The "pushing" appears to travel rightwards, down the line of people. Can you see "the wave" this
produces? It travels from person 1 (who is pushed first), rightwards, all the way to the end of the line of people.
The wave stops when the last person recovers, and the wave ends.

Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
23

Imagine the red dots are air molecules. When you push one of the red balls, it pushes on the air molecules that
closely surround it. It is at this point that "the wave" begin and you'll notice that the wave forms because an
individual air molecule gets a push, which causes it to push on the air molecule right next to it. As each air
molecule recovers from its push, the wave passes.
How is Sound Spread?
Sound is a type of energy and is spread in waves. Particles are required for spread of sound. For this reason
sound is spread in physical environment suc as solid, liquid and gas. In vacuum, sound can not be spread.
Because the vibrations of sound can not be moved away. Sound waves are spread in the form of spherical.
What is Ultrasonic Sensor?
The Ultrasonic Sensor is one of the two sensors that give your robot vision [The
Light Sensor is the other]. The Ultrasonic Sensor enables your robot to see and
detect objects. You can also use it to make your robot avoid obstacles, sense and measure distance, and detect
movement.
The Ultrasonic Sensor measures distance in centimeters and in inches. It is able to measure distances from 0 to
255 centimeters with a precision of +/- 3 cm.
The Ultrasonic Sensor uses the same scientific principle as bats: it measures distance by calculating the time it
takes for a sound wave to hit an object and return just like an echo.
Large sized objects with hard surfaces return the best readings. Objects made of soft fabric or that are curved
[like a ball] or are very thin or small can be difficult for the sensor to detect.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
24
Working Principle of Ultrasonic Sensor
Ultrasonic sensors (also known as transceivers when they both send and receive) work on a principle similar to
radar or sonar which evaluate attributes of a target by interpreting the echoes from radio or sound waves
respectively. Ultrasonic sensors generate high frequency sound waves and evaluate the echo which is received
back by the sensor. Sensors calculate the time interval between sending the signal and receiving the echo to
determine the distance to an object.
This technology can be used for measuring: wind speed and direction (anemometer), fullness of a tank and
speed through air or water. For measuring speed or direction a device uses multiple detectors and calculates
the speed from the relative distances to particulates in the air or water. To measure the amount of liquid in a
tank, the sensor measures the distance to the surface of the fluid. Further applications include: humidifiers,
sonar, medical ultrasonography, burglar alarms and non-destructive testing.
Reflection of Sound
The reflection of sound follows the law "angle of incidence equals angle of reflection", sometimes called the
law of reflection. The same behavior is observed with light and other waves, and by the bounce of a billiard ball
off the bank of a table. The reflected waves can interfere with incident waves, producing patterns of
constructive and destructive interference. This can lead to resonances called standing waves in rooms. It also
means that the sound intensity near a hard surface is enhanced because the reflected wave adds to the
incident wave, giving a pressure amplitude that is twice as great in a thin "pressure zone" near the surface.
Sound may be directed or reflected: Sound can be directed and thereby more effectively received along a
particular direction. This can be done by means of a megaphone. A megaphone is a large, funnel-shaped device
used to reflect and channelize sound energies along a chosen direction. Stages in large auditoriums have
curved backs so that sound can be better projected and heard. This is due to reflection of sound from a hard
surface. This property of reflection of sound is similar to the reflection of light. Here the hard surface acts like a
reflecting mirror, and the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The laws of reflection for sound
and light are similar.
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
25
References:
http://www.fearofphysics.com/Sound/dist2d.html
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012261705/reflection-of-sound.html
www.fenokulu.net
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/reflec.html
http://www.legoengineering.com/nxt-sensors-2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasonic_sensor
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
26
ASSESSMENT
Why a Signal Sound is heard when New Generation
Cars Are Parking in Narrow Areas?
Assessment
This guide to assessment strategies is put forward from different perspectives. In part 1, the assessment is
based on the skill to be developed in the student. Part 2 is based on the assessment strategies to use in each
lesson and illustrates the assessment which a teacher may use for summative assessment.
Part 1 Assessment based on skills
Skills
Degrees
Low
Acceptable
Mean
(1)
(2)
(3)
Social Values
Good
(4)
Perfect
(5)
Able to distribute the tasks within the group
Able to perform teamwork
Able to contribute to the discussion in a
meaningful way
Personal Skills
Willing to perform the project
Able to think critical
Able to be creative
Able to present the subject in an interesting
way
Able to have self-confidence during the
presentation
Willing to present the subject to the class
Able to indicate opinion when asked
Using Science Method
Able to apply different sources to gather
information
Able to make the observations carefully
Able to determine the purpose of the
project
Able to make an appropriate working plan
for the project
Able to analyze data collected
Able to draw conclusions
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
27
Part 2 Assessment based on Lesson
Dimension
Lesson
1
Make
Arrangements
Lesson
2
Construct robocar
Lesson
3
Testing robo-car
Lesson
4
Make conclusions
Criteria for evaluation
Mark/grade
given
Search the questions given in Student Handout 1 and
discusses with group members
Demands to use Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0
Presents the answers of questions given in Student
Handout 1
Use appropriate blocks for constructing robotic car
Integrates the ultrasonic sensor to the robotic car
Explains why ultrasonic sensor is used.
Makes appropriate instructions and uploads them to the
robotic car by using NXT programme
Makes experiments using ultrasonic sensor to show the
spread of sound and reflection of sound.
Draws appropriate conclusions related to robotic car
Gives opinions about solving parking problems by
robots.
(NOTE: Each item can be given 10 points)
Project funded within the EC FP7 Programme: 5.2.2.1 – SiS-2010-2.2.1
Grant Agreement No.:266589
Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher
training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
28