Pipes of Pan

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Create an instrument that you don't play--you just listen to it through tubes of various lengths. You won't be channeling your inner Zamfir, but you'll hear the sound frequencies of your surrounding environment.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 14
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Eleven cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls (other cardboard tubing, or even PVC pipe can also be used, in sufficient quantity to make the pipes described in Assembly Step 1)
  • A wood board 2 feet (60 cm) long (exact width or thickness is not critical; the board shown in the photos is a piece of ordinary 1 x 3 pine shelving, which is actually 2 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick)
  • Scissors (or a hacksaw or PVC cutter if you are using PVC pipe)
  • Tape

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Hearing
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Wave Properties
      • Sound

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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