Fruit Xylophone: Fruit Salad Instrument of the Future!

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This is a perfect summertime lunch activity! Pico Cricket is required (micro controller). First, get a bunch of cut up fruit, line them up, then plug a piece of fruit with a Pico Cricket sensor clip. Next, hold the other Pico Cricket sensor clip in your hand and touch each of the fruits with it to see what kind of music it makes! This activity contains the programming instructions you need to read the resistance in the fruit, which assigns that resistance number a sound. This activity is a great way to explore the conductivity of fruit and vegetables and their resistance. This activity is an easy programming activity for beginners. Note: an older version of the Pico Cricket is shown in this activity, please revise where necessary.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Pico Cricket kit
  • Paper clips
  • Fruit
  • Plate
  • Computer to program Pico Cricket

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Computing
      • Computer Science
  • Physical Sciences
    • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Electric Circuits

Informal Categories

  • Computers
  • Electronics
  • Food and Cooking
  • Music

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • hear
  • use keyboard
  • use mouse
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 0087813