Bryant Ranch Elementary Fourth Graders Explore Sound and Light Waves Through Engineering Design

Fourth-grade students at Bryant Ranch Elementary explored the science of sound and light waves through the TWIG curriculum. The unit combined reading, reflection, and hands-on experiments to build understanding of wave types, pitch and volume, how humans hear sound, and how waves travel through different states of matter. Mini-experiments, including investigations of how sound travels through liquids and solids, reinforced key concepts.

As a culminating activity, students applied the engineering design process to create prototype “noise-cancelling headphones” for a rock musician’s child, designed to reduce sound while featuring a “rockstar” aesthetic. Students also developed digital advertisements using Canva to promote their designs, integrating scientific learning with creativity and real-world communication skills.