Rosie Makes Harmonicas

• Our STEM projects are designed so that participants get it wrong before they get it right. You will observe your students struggling as they attempt to create their own STEM projects. This process is an empowering experience, building perseverance, frustration tolerance, and growing overall confidence! With your support, students will step out of their comfort zones to think, build and problem-solve for themselves.
• Productive Struggle
  - Stretching the rubber band across the larger popsicle stick
  - Wrapping the smaller bands around the ends of the popsicle sticks
  - Placing the straw pieces in the correct positions.
• VA SOL 5.2: The student will investigate and understand sound as a form of energy, including how sound is created by vibrations, how it travels in waves, and how it can be measured and modified using different tools and technologies.

How LOUD can you play your harmonica? Test your sounds here: https://sound.avgives.com/

Objective
Students will investigate how sound is created, measured, and adjusted using basic audio technology.

Concept Overview
Sound is created when something vibrates or moves back and forth. When you play a harmonica, you create vibrations that travel through the air as sound waves. These sound waves carry energy that we can hear.

An audio technician works with sound waves. They use tools to capture, measure, and adjust sound so it is clear and at the right volume. One important tool is a microphone, which captures sound waves. Inside the microphone is a small part called a diaphragm. This diaphragm vibrates when sound waves hit it and turns those vibrations into an electrical signal. An electrical signal is how sound is translated into a form that equipment like speakers and soundboards can use.

A soundboard is another tool audio technicians use. It allows them to adjust the electrical signal. They can make the sound louder or softer, and they can change its tone or quality.

Audio technicians work in many places, including concerts, movie theaters, television studios, recording studios, sports events, and conferences. Some also design and set up sound systems in buildings or outdoor spaces. Their goal is to make sure sound is clear and enjoyable for everyone listening.

To measure how loud a sound is, audio technicians use a sound level meter. This tool measures sound levels, similar to how a ruler measures length. It gives a number that shows how loud a sound is, making it easy to compare different sounds.

How LOUD can you play your harmonica? Test your sounds here: https://sound.avgives.com/

In this harmonica activity, students will test how loud they can play and use sound measurement tools to compare results.

Science Goals

• Students will investigate how sound is created through vibrations.
• Students will understand how sound travels as waves through the air.
• Students will explore how sound can be measured and adjusted using technology.
• Students will compare sound levels using a sound level meter.

Vocabulary

• Sound Wave – vibrations that travel through the air and can be heard.
• Vibration – a back-and-forth movement that creates sound.
• Microphone – a tool that captures sound and turns it into an electrical signal.
• Electrical Signal – a form of sound translated for use by electronic equipment.
• Soundboard – a device used to adjust sound volume and quality.
• Sound Level Meter – a tool used to measure how loud a sound is.