Spring Saturday SAVY, Week 2, The Science of Senses (Dunlap) (3rd-4th)
On Saturday in Science of the Senses, we reviewed last week’s journal prompt and some highlights from Day 1. Afterward, we learned about the physics of sound. The students learned about the pinna and how it impacts the hearing of animals and humans. Then, we studied the physiology of optical illusions. Students learned about the occipital lobe and how it processes images in the brain. Optical illusions are tricks our senses play on our minds. We were able to do several hands-on demonstrations with illusions.
Here are some journal prompts you can discuss with your student:
- Sound travels 767 miles per hour through the air. If you were a sound wave and could travel that quickly anywhere you wanted, where would you travel to now?
- What would you do there before coming back?
A few students asked how we made the “fake apple pie” when we were modeling how the brain can be fooled into believing we are tasting foods that we actually aren’t. If you want to conduct this at home with your student, here are the instructions.
- Bring 2 cups of water to boil using a hot plate.
- Add 2/3 c. of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar and stir.
- Add 35 whole Ritz crackers and let simmer for 3-5 minutes, but do not stir.
- Boil for 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and place in the pie dish.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over the top. 😊
I am excited to get to continue to know your students in Spring SAVY. I am looking forward to Day 3!