Exploring Sound Waves with a MEL Science STEM Kit

We recently explored the science of sound waves with a MEL Science STEM kit. My kids built a music box on their own with supplies from the kit. They also learned about vibration and sound waves with a lesson on the free MEL STEM app. They definitely learned a lot and enjoyed the activities in their STEM kit. Then we extended our learning with one of my favorite easy sound wave investigations. 

MEL Science offers monthly subscription box STEM kits for kids. The kits come with everything kids need to complete a STEM project. My children loved doing the activities and made some great science connections and discoveries.

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Find out what we thought about our MEL STEM kit below. I've included a discount promo code so that you can try out MEL Science too! 

You will also find out how you can teach about sound waves at home or school, whether you have a subscription STEM service or not. 

Exploring Sound Waves with MEL Science

We were excited to dive into our MEL Science STEM kit. The box came with everything necessary to complete the project, including some extension activities and access to digital resources. 

Our box, "Sound Waves" is part of the MEL STEM subscription box line. This subscription is designed for kids ages 5 and up. It was perfect for two of my children, ages 5 and 8. 

We really liked that the instruction booklet included a story. As the kids built their music box, the story played out. It was an engaging way to connect with the science concepts in a kid friendly way.

By taking turns the kids were able to work together independently to complete their task with very little arguing! They are familiar with LEGO and the instruction booklet is laid out in a similar way to a LEGO kit. Each page had a diagram for a single step and the materials needed to accomplish it. 

Want to try a MEL Science STEM kit, too? Take 50% off your first box with our exclusive promo code: SHAREITSCIENCE Click here to get started.

Building a Music Box

The music box activity was a great way to connect the concept that vibrations make sound to a real life scenario. The kids were able to create their own songs by moving around the pieces that would make the hammers strike. 

In the finished product we wished the hammers hit the bars more accurately and firmly so the sound was louder and more consistent. However, this did give us the opportunity to think like engineers and discuss how we might redesign that one element to make it better. 

Augmented Reality Sound Wave Lesson

In addition to the hands-on STEM project, we had access through the free MEL STEM app to a short science lesson on sound waves. We watched our interactive lesson using Augmented Reality (AR). The kids really got a kick out of seeing the animations sitting right on our kitchen table. We liked the characters and kid-friendly explanations.

While building my kids connected the concepts from the AR science lesson to their build. They recognized that the different sized bars would make either low or high sounds based on how fast they were vibrating.

MEL Science Perks

The instruction booklet offered several ideas for extension activities. With some adult assistance, kids can get a lot more out of their MEL Science STEM kit. 

MEL Science also offers subscription plans and bulk prices for schools and other groups. You can learn more about school and bulk ordering here.

Want to try a MEL Science STEM kit? Take 50% off your first box with our exclusive promo code: SHAREITSCIENCE Click here to get started.

 

We Recommend MEL Science STEM Kits

We really enjoyed our MEL Science STEM Kit. I asked my kids what they liked best about it compared to other subscription box kits we've used before and they said they liked that there was an illustrated story in the instruction book. I agree that the story was a fun way for the kids to engage with the project. 

I liked that my kids could easily work together to build something that they could use again later. Through the sound waves augmented reality science lesson on the free app they connected with science concepts in a fun and accessible way. The MEL Science Sound Waves box inspired some curiosity and a desire to continue to explore and play with the concept of sound waves. 

We would highly recommend MEL Science to other families and students who enjoy hands-on building projects!

Dancing Salt: A Sound Waves Experiment

We played around with the concept of sound waves some more. Here is a little experiment I have used in the traditional science classroom. 

For this sound waves experiment you will need:

• A speaker or device that can produce loud sounds
• An empty plastic container, like a yogurt tub
• Salt, sugar, confetti (something small and light weight)
• Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
• Rubber band

Put some plastic wrap or foil over the opening of the recycled container. Set the container on or very close to your speaker. Sprinkle just a bit of salt, or something small and light weight on top of the plastic. Start your speaker at low volume and slowly increase. 

What happens? Can you make the salt dance? What happens when you change the type of music? How does the vibration of high notes and low notes differ? Do you notice any patterns or interesting motion as you experiment with volume and music type?

Here is just a short clip of our experiment. In this clip we are using a microphone that is attached to the speaker.

Try it! 

Must-Have Resources for Observing the Night Sky

With the right resources, observing the night sky children can be an exciting activity. Whether it is a celestial event like a meteor shower or lunar eclipse, or just regular stargazing, here are some of my favorite resources for learning astronomy. 

These are my favorite resources and can be used in the classroom and out. However, its not always possible to get into the field with students. Maybe you only see the kids during the day, or city lights or weather prevent them from observing the night sky. Some of the digital resources in this post can help with that too! 

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission from purchases made from these links, at no additional cost to you. See disclosures for more information. 

Free Resources for Understanding the Night Sky

You don't need expensive equipment to enjoy stargazing. A dark clear area is all you need, a decent pair of binoculars and a star wheel are a bonus. 

If you are not feeling confident with your astronomy skills, here are some resources that will be helpful to you, and are also fairly kid-friendly. 

Download and explore Stellarium. This is a free open-source planetarium. You can choose a location and time and see what the night sky in your area will look like. This is a powerful free resource for becoming familiar with astronomy. Encourage your students to have some free exploration of the software. They can turn on and off constellations, locate planets, "observe" moon phases, etc. It is especially useful when you are in a situation where observing the night sky is not possible. 

When you look up at the night sky and notice a really bright object but have no idea what you are looking at, you need Google's free Sky Map app. Just point your device at that part of the sky and see it labeled on the app. This can be super handy. (Then once you have identified what you are looking at, turn off the device and enjoy nature!)

Download this free star wheel from Sky and Telescope and print it out. You can turn the wheel to the current date and find out what you should be able to see in the night sky in your area. 

Observe and Track the Moon

A fabulous way to connect with the night sky is observing and tracking the phases and position of the moon. It is a great assignment for kids too. Observe what the moon looks like each night for a month, or even just a few times a week. You'll understand a piece of nature more fully and get some fresh air to boot! 

Assign kids a moon observing and  tracking project. Here are some printable downloads that make great hand-outs for this assignment:

 

• Moon Phases Tracker 
• Moon Observation Logbook 
• Northern Hemisphere Moon Observation Chart 

Astronomy Books for the Science Library

There are tons of astronomy books out there, but here are the three I'd start with in my collection. 

Chet Raymo's 365 Starry Nights : An Introduction to Astronomy for Every Night of the Year is the perfect opportunity to hone your amateur astronomy skills. Something to learn or observe each day of the year, illustrated and clearly explained. 

H.A. Rey's The Stars and H.A. Rey's Find the Constellations are also indispensable classics. Kids will gravitate to the appealing illustrations.  

Now get outside and LOOK UP! I think you'll be glad that you did!