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Students are challenged to design and build wind chimes using their knowledge of physics and sound waves, and under given constraints such as weight, cost and number of musical notes it must generate. They make mathematical computations to determine the pipe lengths.

Everyday, engineers design and create products, structures and systems, working within given constraints. In this "open-ended design," the potential exists for many creative solutions! design a structure engineering design process frequency longitudinal wave musical notes pipe transverse wave wavelength wave velocity An understanding of waves and the corresponding equations for solving wave problems. A basic understanding of the steps of the engineering design process. Explain the relationships between wave velocity, wavelength and frequency. Calculate the length of a pipe needed to provide a certain musical note. fan computers with internet connectivity (for research) drill press or drill and sturdy clamp to clamp pipes drill bits for each type of material students bring in (such as metal, wood, plastic) pipe cutter utility knives scissors (optional) scales tape stapler and staples After researching the parts of a wind chime, bring in all materials necessary to build it. Try to find scrap material before purchasing anything. You are just beginning your first job as an entry-level engineer at Wind Chimes, Inc. Your first task is to design a new and creative wind chime that meets the following criteria It must be made using hollow piping. It must play at least four different notes that sound pleasing together. It must be aesthetically pleasing. Material cost must be under $10. It cannot weigh more than 1.5 kg. It must make sound when suspended 1 meter away from a fan set at low. All research, documentation, and mathematical calculations must be provided to your supervisor (teacher). The time it takes for one point on a wave to travel a certain distance. The number of wave oscillations that occur in a unit of time. Highest point on a wave. lowest point on a wave. The distance between two successive points on a wave (ex. crest to crest, trough to trough). Waves with vibrations perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion. Waves with vibrations parallel to the direction of the wave motion. Gather all materials. Make copies of the Student Handout, which includes procedures. Show students the fan being used so they can feel the wind produced by it on low at a distance of 1 meter. Bring in a wind chime if you have one to demonstrate. Suggestion: Have students conduct most of the research as a homework / out-of-class assignment. Divide the class into teams of four students each. As necessary, review the steps of the engineering design process, which students will be following for this activity. Distribute the Student Handout and materials. Research the problem: a. What are the parts of a wind chime? b. How does the length and width of the pipe effect the sound? c. List at least 3 different sources and include website address or book title. Develop possible solutions: a. List possible materials b. Method of suspending pipes? c. Location for drilling pipes d. Make all required calculations for designing an effective wind chime. Test and evaluate: Does the wind chime operate continuously, giving out the expected notes under the test wind? Select a solution: Explain why you chose this solution and address all criteria listed in the introduction. Construct a prototype: Record all dimensions including pipe lengths and location of hole to suspend the pipes while constructing the prototype. Test the prototype: a. What is the quality of the sound? b. Does the sound quality need to be modified? Redesign to improve: List any changes you made to the prototype and note all changes in calculations for the new model Student Handout (doc) Student Handout (pdf) Evaluation Rubric (xls) Supervise students when drilling and cutting to ensure they follow safety procedures. Use the attached Evaluation Rubric to grade student design projects on their functionality, aesthetic, calculations and drawings.