In Exploring Light and Sound students will interface with two physical phenomena. They will establish that there is a relationship between sound and vibrations. Sound can cause matter to vibrate, and vibrating matter can cause sound. Students have also recognized that certain objects give off light while other objects can only be seen when illuminated by objects that are light sources. Through experiences, students will learn that materials interact with light in different ways—some allow light to pass through, others block some or all light, and still others reflect clear images. They will have experienced that sound and light can be used to communicate over long distances. Students will apply what they learn to use light and sound to solve a communication problem.

This unit introduces Grade 1 students to real-world examples and fundamental concepts of light and sound and their applications in technologies for information transfer. Students will explore how sound and light are associated with cause-and-effect relationships and how people depend on various technologies that use sound and light to communicate. While Grade 1 students will experience the idea that light travels from place to place with various light sources, they will not discuss the speed of light. Students are also not expected to explain how devices work using technological details at this grade level.

Engineers and engineering designers use knowledge of light and sound as they use materials in design solutions and make things that are useful to people. This series of lessons incorporates learning goals that support the principles and practices of engineering design, such as defining problems, taking data, and evaluating possible solutions.