SENIOR PROJECT

Musical Instrument Project

Mr. Chaco - Physics

Sound and music represent significant elements in today’s culture.  A world without sound would be a very different place.  Radio, television and the telephones are examples of technologies that make use of sound.  Sound and music are used to communicate ideas, information and emotion.

Design an original musical instrument made from anything you wish except an existing musical instrument.  Individual pieces of existing musical instruments may be used, such as a mouth piece for a brass or woodwind instrument, but the instrument you build must be designed and built by you.  NO BOTTLES FILLED WITH WATER WILL BE ACCEPTED.  SINCE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS CANNOT PLAY INDIVIDUAL NOTES, SCORES WILL BE DRAMATICALLY LOWER FOR THESE INSTRUMENTS.

1. Make a musical instrument out of household materials.  It must be able to play at least            4 notes which are audibly different.

2. Hand in a typed report.  Your report could include the following:

·           A schematic diagram of your instrument

·           An explanation of the instrument parts and their function

·           An explanation of why (and how) each pitch is different

·           Display the calculation of each wavelength

·           An explanation of how your instrument produces standing waves

·           The choice of materials and the reason for your choice

·           As you build your instrument and make revisions, take notes and explain why the changes were necessary).

·           The individual or group who developed the instrument

·           History of the instrument

·            Pictures

·           Description of how sound is varied by the instrument

·           Famous players of the instrument

Part 1 and 2 are due ___2/16/09___________

3. You will present it to the class and demonstrate its range of pitch and volume.

            You can earn bonus points for playing a song during your presentation.

Presentation will occur on ___3/16/09_____________

Musical Instrument Scoring Rubric

 ______________________________________________________________________________

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Junior Project

STS

Science, Technology and Society Inquiry Activity

Due :  ____FEB 24th________

Task 1

Momentum and Impulse have been used for years to improve the way we live.  These physic principles have been used in airbags, seat belts, infant restraints, crush zones, collapsible bumpers, football helmets, shoulder pads, guard rails, etc.   Using one of theses physics principles, investigate a selected product and write a five paragraph essay.  The essay must be set up as follows:

1.      One inch margin on top.

2.      One inch margin on the bottom.

3.      One inch margin on each side.

4.      Doubled spaced.

5.      Five paragraphs minimum

                  a. Introduction

                  b. One paragraph (minimum) supporting evidence describing evidence that the physics principle is in fact used.

                  c. One paragraph (minimum) describing the technology used in testing or producing the device.

                  d. One paragraph (minimum) describing the benefit to society.

                  e. Summary paragraph with final arguments.

                  f. Conclusion.

OR

Task 2

Develop a poster which describes your chosen topic.  The poster must depict a device used by society ands demonstrate the principled of momentum/Impulse in its operation.  The poster must explain the operation and technologies used in developing or testing the device and explain its benefits to society.  The poster should be 20 inches by 30 inches.

NOTE:  YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A RUBRIC FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.  PLEASE USE IT.