SKU: SMAGEN

In this unit, youth learn about the science of sound. Youth will explore pitch, musical notes, sound travel, environmental sounds, and noise pollution.

In the first part of the unit, they explore the relationship between frequency of vibration and the pitch of different sound-making devices including Rubber Band Guitars, Tubetars, Glass Tube Instruments, Straw Flutes, Maracas and Rainsticks. They also explore the harmonic scale with a tuned set of chimes. At the conclusion of this section, youth are encouraged to use their musical instruments to create a performance.

In the second part of the unit, the youth explore how sounds are transmitted through solids, liquids and gases. They make different kinds of telephones to transmit sound and explore how sound is amplified. Finally, they examine sounds in the environment and role-play a city council meeting to decide a noise pollution issue.

Each of the Sound activities is introduced by the AXIS characters and Dr. David Bradley, who is a sound scientist. Dr. Bradley is featured in an interview on the back cover of the activity book and on page 12 of the Leader’s Guide.