Middle School: Wonderful World of Waves
ENVR-90004
Knowing how waves work is a key to understanding many aspects of the natural world. Dive into the fascinating world of water waves and light waves through fascinating experiments and fun craft projects. Students will explore the science of ocean waves, currents and tsunamis. We will investigate how sand is formed by waves, and we will examine sand from beaches around the world. Students will also learn how light waves travel and which color of light travels farthest. Class members will put their new knowledge to work in a variety of art projects, including creating wave paintings with watercolors and salt, and building a miniature surfboard from balsa wood. The class will give students a basis of knowledge for further studies in physics and oceanography.
What you'll learn
- Get an overview of factors affecting the ocean circulation system, including winds, tides, Earth’s rotation, temperature and water density.
- Conduct experiments relating to water, wind, temperature and salinity.
- Gain an understanding of the differences between waves and currents.
- Learn what causes tides.
- Create models to illustrate tidal phenomena.
- Explore how changing tides affect animals and their habitats.
- Investigate how sand is formed by the action of waves.
- Use prisms and mirrors to investigate how waves of colored light travel.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 5/31/2025
- 1st meeting mandatory
- Early enrollment advised
- No UCSD parking permit required
- No visitors permitted
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7/2025 | Mon | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/8/2025 | Tue | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/9/2025 | Wed | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/10/2025 | Thu | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/11/2025 | Fri | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
Instructor:
Lorrie Friet
MFA Design - University Mississippi BFA - Oklahoma Statue University
Lorrie Blackard Friet is an educator specializing in STEAM content creation. She has developed programs for San Diego Unified and Los Angeles Unified school districts as well as the San Public Library NeXT program. Lorrie is a practicing artist featured at Tower 23 Hotel in San Diego 92109. Her paintings are in collections worldwide. Passionate about the Ocean, Lorrie is the senior instructor at the San Diego Floating Lab. This program explores the wonders of the Ocean with San Diego County students and visitors from Arizona, Colorado and Mexico. She is also a board member of Spiral Pacific, a nonprofit dedicated to global marine conservation.
