Water Xylophone
Handmade water xylophones allow students to hear and see the science of sound in action. Follow this easy tutorial to create your own water xylophones in the classroom. Engage your students in the scientific process by following these steps:
- Create your hypothesis: What will happen to the sound when different amounts of water are added to each glass.
- Make the water xylophones Depending on the age of your students, let them take the lead on filling each glass with different amounts of water. It’s a great motor skill activity. Now they can test their hypothesis by playing their xylophones.
- Have them evaluate their hypothesis: was it correct or incorrect?
- Have some fun testing even more variables:
- What happens if you tap the glasses with a plastic spoon versus a metal spoon or another item?
- Does tapping on different parts of the glass change the sound?
- Does it sound different filled with a different liquid? What about if it’s filled with cotton balls?
- Have some fun changing the water levels and see if you can play a song.
Science-Inspired Playlist
Wrap up your scientific exploration with this playlist full of science-inspired music.