Waves Unit Reflection

Unit Question:  How does the use and study of waves affect societal well-being?  

          The study of waves affects societal well-being in many ways.  When we study seismic waves, we are able to understand more clearly when and under what circumstances tsunamis might occur.  The study of microwaves led to the development of the microwave and cell phones.  Because we understood the way radio waves worked, we were able to transmit information over long distances.  Also, when we study waves, we learn which ones are bad for us, and when we learn that, we can take steps to prevent injury.  

          It's better to be prepared when a tsunami hits the area you live in. Since they are such huge waves, they can cause a lot of destruction, destroy tons of homes, and kill hundreds of people.  Once humans understood that there are ways to detect tsunamis before they hit land, many lives were saved.  Scientists were able to figure out when a tsunami was coming using bottom sensors, and then they could alert the people in the city about the giant wave.  Some people might only get a few minutes of warning, but each second counts when you're talking about tsunamis. This was good for society.

          The reason we are now able to heat food in a matter of minutes is because of a man called Percy Spencer.  He figured out that microwaves can be used to make food hot, and voila - the microwave oven was created.  This proved to be very effective and good for society.  However, later studies show that the radiation from the microwave oven has many bad effects:  it can cause cancer, make vegetables lose their vitamins, be the source of certain diseases, and much more.  Studies are still underway to see whether or not the microwave isn't as safe as we once thought it was, but now people are aware of its dangers.  Since we now know what the microwave can do, we can protect ourselves from it.  This knowledge is good for society.

          The reason people can use satellites is because of the study of waves.  Satellites are used for a myriad of everyday things: electronic navigation systems, Google Earth, TV, and more.  Without waves, we would have none of those luxuries.  The study of waves has improved human life on Earth by a long run, and we should continue to look into this science.

Other Questions:

1.) What did you learn during the unit?

          I learned SO much during this unit.  I learned about how waves travel (through mediums in transverse, longitudinal, or surface waves), what causes them (disturbances caused by an energy source that causes the medium to vibrate), the different types of waves (seismic, water, electromagnetic, and sound), the properties of waves (amplitude, velocity, etc...), the parts of the ear (ear canal, ear drum, hammer, anvil, stirrup, cochlea, etc.), and the parts of waves (trough, crest, etc.) 

2.) What did you like?

          I especially liked the beginning of the unit when we drew those pictures of what we thought waves were, and then the end when we looked at our pictures, and we - or at least I realized how ignorant I'd been of waves back then.  It was actually pretty eye-opening about how much I don't know.

3.) What would you change or add for next years 7th grade students?    

          If I could change anything about this unit, I would give more time for people to study the electromagnetic spectrum.  Even though all the groups gave those presentations, information doesn't really stick in your head as much as when you do the research yourself.  There is a saying: "Tell me, and I will forget.  Show me, and I may remember.  Involve me, and I will understand."  During the electromagnetic spectrum part of the unit, there was a lot of showing and only a little bit of involving.  I noticed that I really didn't remember as much information as I had on other waves. 

Here is my brainstorm: