The image is of waves of various wavelengths made of Wikki Stix.
Activity

Features of Waves Using Wikki Stix

This simple interactive activity allows students who are blind to learn basic properties of waves and to compare waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

While teaching the electromagnetic spectrum, it occurred to me that Wikki Stix would make a quick and easy model to supplement the raised line from the book.  Wikki Stix can easily be reshaped by the instructor or the student to model waves of varying wavelengths and energy levels.  

Related Vocabulary:

Materials

Preparation

Part I – Instruction in wave properties

Use models of the waves to teach students the following properties of waves: (See defintions above.)

  1. crest
  2. trough
  3. wavelength
  4. amplitude 
  5. frequency

Part II –  Review wave properties using the models

  1. Review the parts mentioned in Part I by having student describe the wave properties using the model
  2. As a Warm-up – give each student 2 waves with different properties and pose questions such as:
    1. Choose the wave with the longer wavelength
    2. Choose the wave with the greater amplitude
    3. Find the trough of one of the  waves
    4. Find the crest of one of the waves

Variations

NGSS Standards


Middle School – Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

PS4.A: Wave Properties


High School: Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation


PS4.C: Information Technologies and Instrumentation

By Laura Hospitál

Collage of making accessible waves on electromagnetic spectrum using Wikki Stix

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