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Make a Squawking Turkey Craft
In this science experiment, kids explore sound vibrations while making a fun squawking turkey craft.
Sounds are vibrations moving through the air, causing tiny particles (molecules) to bump into each other. This causes a wave of motion – much like a line of falling dominos. This chain reaction continues through the air until it reaches a vibration catcher – such as your ear! Where there is no air to bump into, such as outer space, there is no sound.
This activity demonstrates how a string instrument works; vibrations along the string are captured and amplified inside the body of the instrument, just like a guitar or violin.
Materials
- Medium-size paper cup - 1 per student
- Cotton string - 12 inch per student
- Small paper clips - 2 per student
- Decorating materials
Instructions
Use a sharp pencil or similar to punch a small hole in the top center of the paper cup.
Tie the small paper clips to either end of the string.
With the cup facing down (like a bell), pull the string down through the hole in the top until the paper clip at the other end catches. You now have a contraption that looks a little like a bell, with a string hanging out of the bottom.
Wet your fingers and pull them lightly along the string just under the mouth of the cup. The vibrating string will make a squawking sound, and the cup will capture and amplify the vibrations.
Kids will love decorating their cups like a chicken or turkey -- or any other funny creature they can dream up!
