NASCAR tracks are noisy places on race days.
Students observe a NASCAR engine and notice it only makes sounds when it is running, which raises this question: How does the engine make sounds? Students investigate everyday objects that make sounds and look for patterns in their data that help them understand that objects cannot make sound unless they are in motion.
- NASCAR Engine Car Cold Start VERY CLOSE (clip A, 0:00 –0:34)
- NASCAR Toyota Racing Engine on Dyno (clip B, 1:57– 2:30)
- Is it moving when it makes a sound? formative assessment probe (per student)
Sound station supplies (per station)
- rubber bands;
- metal pan or bowl;
- wooden spoon;
- speaker (connected to sound source);
- small seeds such as chia seeds, flax seeds, or rice grains; and
- drum (any type).
- Station directions
- Compressor 2 (clip C)
- Data table (per student)
