Musical Instrument (Activity + Instructional Video)
Originally Posted: April 30, 2020
Updated: April 2024
Type: STEM Activity
Grade: 2-8
Mission: Design a musical instrument and control the loudness and frequency of the sound!
Materials needed: Watch the video for ideas of materials to use around the house.
Ideas for the instrument base: cereal box, tissue box, cups, empty jar or can, and toilet paper rolls.
Ideas for making sound: rubber bands, bottle caps, beans, and paper.
Watch Instructional Video: STEM Space At Home is a video series led by an engineer using materials you can find at home. The videos are intended to support elementary and middle school students through fun engineering design challenges with a real-world connection. Find all episodes here.
STEM Space At-Home is brought to you by Vivify STEM and Communities In Schools of San Antonio through the NASA program “New Worlds Await You” led by the WEX Foundation.
Check out these awesome STEM career links:
Want to learn more about sound?
Want more ideas on creating instruments? Check out these tutorials for inspiration:
Teach Engineering: Simple Instruments (Includes lesson plans)
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