Juliette M. Walker - Crown Community Academy 

Now Hear This!

Juliette M. Walker             Crown Community Academy 
                               2128 S. St.Louis       
                               CHICAGO IL 60623    
                               (773) 534-1680  

Objective(s):

In this project, students will be able to describe how sounds are heard by the 
human ear by creating a model of the human inner ear.  This activity may be 
utilized by grades 3 - 8.


Materials Needed:

Students may be placed into cooperative learning groups of 3.
 1long paper roll (used gift wrap rolls are perfect)
 plastic wrap            medium sized disc of foil    rubber bands
 2cardboard paper discs  doublestick tape             pink tissue paper
 flashlights             1 large box    scissors      cardboard fork shape
(1 set of each item is needed for each group)                       

Strategy:

1. Students will create an eardrum by stretching a piece of plastic wrap across
   the end of the paper roll fixing it in place with a rubber band.
2. Students will create a set of ossicles with two cardboard discs and a fork 
   shape of thin cardboard.  This will be held together with doublesided tape.
3. Students will then attach a disk of shiny foil to one end of the roll, and 
   will attach the other to the plastic wrap "ear drum" on the tube.  This will 
   complete the middle ear.
4. Students will then make an outer ear from a cone of cardboard with a hole 
   at its end and will place it on the inside of the tube.  Students may design 
   their cone  with pink tissue paper, for a more realistic look.
5. Students will then place the middle of the model of the ear on a box, 
   leaving the ends of the rolls hanging off of the front and back.
6. Students will then shine a light onto the mirror and will ask a partner to 
   to talk into the ear and watch for vibrations.
7. Have the students to watch the window of the ear.  Have them describe how it 
   responds to shouting, whispering, whistling etc.

Performance Assessment:

Students will be evaluated based upon their models, and oral explanations as 
to how their ear works.

Conclusions:

This project works because the sound waves from the students voice makes the 
plastic wrap vibrate.  These vibrations are transmitted into the cardboard 
"ossicles" and can be seen by watching the  foil disc for movements.  This is 
a simple model of how the ear works. 

References:

This project was adapted from the Encyclopedia of Science Projects written by 
Pam Robeson, and Mick Seller (Shooting Star Press, 1994) (Aladdin Books, ltd, 
1994)