Unit Overview

Kids use what they know about sound and vibrations to engineer acoustic devices that can project sound so that everyone at a festival can hear.

  • Grades 3–5
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Sound
  • 8 activities
  • 45 minutes per activity

Standards alignment

We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering. View Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Kids engineer a tower and are introduced to the Engineering Design Process as a problem-solving tool.

Kids explore the idea that they, as engineers, can design and improve technology.

Kids explore sound and compare how it travels through the air and solid materials.

Kids investigate how different materials absorb and reflect sound.

Kids use kazoos to explore how different shapes can increase the volume of sound.

Groups use what they have learned about acoustical engineering to engineer an acoustic device to amplify music in several locations.

Kids improve their acoustic devices to amplify music to an additional location.

Kids share their technologies and explain how they used the Engineering Design Process in a showcase.
Music to My Ears: An Acoustical Engineering Challenge unit cover

What's Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Engineering Journal (PDF)
  • Context-Setting Audio Messages (.mp3)
  • Print Materials (PDF)
  • Additional Resources