Communication through Codes & Technology BUNDLE Science Stations

Talk to Me Science Stations for Fourth Grade Next Generation Science Standards include 7 different science stations where students deepen their understanding of communication through codes & technology. The focus is on 4-PS4.C and includes concepts such computer coding, cell phones, satellites, Morse code, binary numbers, drum code messages, digital and analog technology and sending and receiving codes.

Code & Technology Stations Include

• Vocabulary Cards in two formats with and without pictures.
• Watch – Students watch one of four videos and then answer questions about the videos. Videos include: Computer Coding, What is a Computer Program, How a Cell Phone Words, and Morse Code.
• Play – Students play a video game, board game, a crossword puzzle or word search to reinforce their learning about codes and communication.
• Investigate – Students read about sending and receiving codes. They come up with a code that uses sounds and/or lights in order to investigate this. Students then answer questions to reinforce the concepts learned.
• Diagram – Students read about binary numbers. They create a diagram of binary numbers and answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.
• Read a Passage – Students read about how satellites are used to help communicate over long distances. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.
• Model – Students read about Morse code and create a model of a Morse code transmitter, sending a message in Morse code. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.
• Explore – Students read about drum code messages and create their own drum code in order to explore how drums are used to send codes over long distances. They answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.
• Sort – Students read about digital and analog technology. They sort various objects into digital and analog categories. They then answer questions in order to reinforce what they have learned.

Google Classroom™️ Components Include:

• Google Form™️ with Reading Passage & Differentiated Questions (for Watch, Investigate, Diagram, Read, Model, Explore and Sort)
• Google Slides™️ with Activity Directions & Worksheets (for Investigate, Diagram, Model, Explore, Sort)

Each station is designed to last about 15-20 minutes. Students may do one a day for eight days, two a day for four days, or any format that works for your classroom. Because there are additional activities for the Watch and Play stations, you can offer those as a choice within that station or offer them as an early finisher station, as well.

By working through this set of stations, students will gain a robust understanding of the properties of visible light. The Engineering Standards for fourth grade are also incorporated into this set of stations. See the preview for more details on the how the four physical science Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are combined and how the engineering standards are incorporated.