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Project challenge:

Rubber band Dulcimer

Suggested Ages: K – 2nd Grades

Tune in to explore the science of sound. In this challenge you’ll design a rubber band dulcimer that plays four different notes. To do this you’ll need to BE REFLECTIVE by noticing how each note sounds and thinking about what you can do to make each note sound just the way you want.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Corrugated cardboard for the base
  • Scissors
  • Masking tape
  • An easy to grasp object for the handle (toilet paper tube, small plastic bottle, a bundle of markers taped together, etc.)
  • 2 paper cups
  • 2 rubber bands
  • Optional: Skinny cylindrical objects to tilt the cups (straws, pencils, pens, etc.)
  • Optional: Something to draw with (markers, pens, etc.)

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

PREP SUPPORT:


Cut the cardboard into two equal pieces for the dulcimer base (timestamp).

 

ACTIVITY DETAILS:

 

1. Tape the base pieces together.

 

2. Tape on the handle—Younger kids may need support with the plus sign taping technique here. (1:40)

 

3. Attach cups and rubber bands—Stretching the rubber bands over the cardboard can be easier with two people. (2:06)

 

4. Play and redesign.

  • Support being reflective—If kids don’t want to redesign once they’ve made their instrument, try giving them specific challenges (like making the lowest note possible) to encourage them to reflect and experiment while the play.
  • Ask: Which sounds are high? Low? In between? Why do you think that is? How can you test to see if you’re right?
  • Ask: What did you change? What do you notice is different about your sound now? What else might you try to get really different sounds?

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Decorate the dulcimer.
  • Keep experimenting with other positions for the cups, other sizes of cup, and even other objects besides cups. Think about how the sounds change and which are your favorite. 
  • If you have space on your cardboard you can add 1 or 2 more rubber bands for even more notes!
  • Make up a song with your instrument and perform it. Maybe your song even has lyrics that go along with the notes you’re playing!

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • How did being reflective help you make your dulcimer sound as awesome as possible? What did you notice and discover about how to make different sounds?
  • What different ideas and positions did you try? What do you think worked best?
  • What other ideas do you have for how to make fun sounds with rubber bands?

Subscribe Now—It’s Free!

 

With so many changes to everyone’s regular routines, we know you’re likely looking for ways to keep your kids learning (and yourself sane) while schools are closed. Subscribe here and Galileo will deliver a week’s work of activities to your inbox every Sunday to add to your routine!

SHARE!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Take a photo of your dulcimer or a video of you playing it and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!