PLANET PEA-PLE SIRI 29

OBJECTIVE

To help students explore how varying

the length of tubes can produce

different pitches of sound and to

understand the concept of sound waves.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Plastic drinking straws

(different colors if possible)

Scissors

Tape

Ruler

Optional: Stickers or

markers for decoration

2.

3.

4.

5.

FLUTE CONSTRUCTION

a. Provide each student with several drinking straws of

varying lengths (cut them to different lengths, ranging

from about 5 to 10 inches).

b. Decorate the straws with stickers or markers, if

desired.

c. Line up the straws in order from shortest to longest.

d. Use tape to secure the straws together side by side,

with equal spacing between them. Make sure they are

aligned at one end.

DISCUSSION

What did you notice about the different

lengths of straws?

Which straw produced the highest-pitched

sound? The lowest-pitched sound?

How does covering and uncovering the straws

with your fingers change the sound?

Gather the students together for a group

discussion. Ask questions like:

MAKING A STRAWMAKING A STRAWMAKING A STRAW

PAN FLUTEPAN FLUTEPAN FLUTE

INSTRUCTION TO SOUND

EAVES

Begin by discussing with the

students the concept of sound

waves. Explain that sound

travels in waves through the

air and that the frequency

(number of waves per second)

of these waves determines the

pitch of the sound.

CONCLUSION

Summarize the key points

about sound waves, pitch,

and how changing the

length of the tubes

(straws) alters the pitch

of the sound produced.