Unit Plan 31 (Grade 1 Science): Communication with Light & Sound

Focus: Create and improve a communication device that uses light or sound patterns to send a message, then use test results to compare designs and make revisions.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Science (Physical Science • Engineering Design)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students revisit the idea that light and sound can be used to solve a communication problem. Building on earlier prototypes (flashlight signals, cup phones, drum taps, pattern codes), students choose one communication goal—such as sending a message across the room, through a barrier, or to a partner who can’t hear/see well—and then improve their device using data from tests. Across the week, learners plan, build, test, and revise a device that uses light or sound patterns, then compare results to determine which design performs better and why.

Essential Questions

• How can light or sound be used to send information (a message) from one person to another?
• What makes a communication device work better (clearer, louder/brighter, more reliable)?
• How can we use test results to compare designs and decide what to improve?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe a communication problem (who needs to communicate, what message, and what makes it hard).
2. Build a device that uses light or sound to send a message using tools and materials (1-PS4-4).
3. Create a simple code/pattern (flash pattern, tap pattern, long/short sounds) and use it consistently.
4. Test two versions of a device and record results (distance, clarity, accuracy, number of successful messages).
5. Compare test results to identify strengths/weaknesses and make at least one improvement (K-2-ETS1-3).

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (NGSS-Aligned)

• 1-PS4-4 — Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve a communication problem.
• K-2-ETS1-3 — Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare strengths and weaknesses.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain the communication problem my device is trying to solve.
• I can build a tool that uses light or sound to send a message.
• I can use a clear pattern/code so my partner understands my message.
• I can test my device and record what happened.
• I can say which design worked better and what I changed to improve it.