What's the Buzz?

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In this activity, learners construct a playable kazoo from inexpensive materials. They will experience how vibration creates sound waves and music. Changing the materials their kazoo is made of, participants will make predictions and test how different materials affect sound. Even students who think they can't play music can have fun with this easy activity, and join in the kazoo band.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Model
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per group of students)

  • toilet paper tubes
  • waxed paper
  • aluminum foil
  • plastic wrap
  • rubber bands
  • scissors
  • sharpened pencil
  • plastic comb (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Hearing
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Wave Motion
      • Sound
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Music
  • Performing Arts

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • hear
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

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

Other

Foreign language versions of this resource:

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • WGBH

Source Collection

  • Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, 2009

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0813513
  • Public television viewers