The scientific discoveries, principles, and knowledge we have today required lots of inquiry and investigation about natural phenomena (events) that we observe in the world (like the way viruses are transmitted and fought off by the immune system or the aurora borealis, eclipses, or the tides of the ocean).
What do you think are the requirements for a good investigative question?
Create an investigative question based on the phenomenon in the picture. Questions like 'what is happening in the picture?' are not investigative.
Create an investigative question based on the phenomenon in the picture. Questions like 'what is happening in the picture?' are not investigative.
Create an investigative question based on the phenomenon in the picture. Questions like 'what is happening in the picture?' are not investigative.
Create an investigative question based on the phenomenon in the picture. Questions like 'what is happening in the picture?' are not investigative.
In 2012, scientists and engineers worked with a team of sound artists to build a xylophone in a forest in Kyushu, Japen. Stretching over a mile long, the xylophone featured hundreds of different-sized pieces of wood, each sounding an individual note when struck. With only a single push, a wooden ball cascades down the structure, hitting every resonant note of the Bach masterpiece, 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'. The xylophone was made by hand from 100 percent raw materials and, unbelievably, the video contains no special effects.
What are some observations you noticed about the ball and how it created the song in the video?
What are curiosities or things that you wondered about as you watched the video?
Below, consider the steps of the scientific method and imagine that you are an engineer that helped build the xylophone. Which of the following questions would be the BEST question to ask before you begin planning the design of the xylophone?
Having chosen your question, what would be the best topics to research before starting to design the xylophone? (There are five topics you should pick.)
Think about what you observed during the video. What engineering factors did the crew who built the xylophone have to consider in order for the wooden ball to successfully roll down the xylophone and play the song? Name as many as you can.
Using your observations from the video, what issues do you think would arise during the construction and testing of the xylophone? Name at least 3 and brainstorm ways that you, as an engineer, would try to solve these problems.
Would this xylophone work on flat land? Why or why not? Use full and complete sentences. (Hint: rewatch the beginning of the video.)
Your turn! Search 'natural phenomena' and find a phenomena that grabs your attention. Link an image, video, or article about the phenomena here.
Create an investigative question for the phenomena that you selected.
