Plastic cup chicken sound activity – STEM experiment

Plastic cup chicken sound activity demonstrates how sound can be made with a string and amplified with a cup. This STEM activity uses a string, a cup, and a damp sponge to show vibration and amplification of sound.

Safety note: Be sure to explain safety precautions to children. The plastic cup chicken sound activity uses scissors and string. Disclaimer: All information provided on this site is for entertainment and education purposes only. Using any information from thecasabouquet.com is at your own risk.

Instructions for plastic cup chicken sound activity

• Choose a plastic cup for your chicken. Measure the diameter of the bottom of the cup.
• Download the pattern for the rooster cocks comb. Resize so that it will fit your cup. Print, then use as a pattern to cut out of felt.
• Use sharp scissors or other tool to poke two small holes in the bottom of the cup.
• Cut a piece of string about 18 inches long. Thread one end through the holes in the cup and tie a knot. You could also use a pony bead to tie the knot.
• Use hot glue to attach the cocks comb to the head of the chicken.
• Cut a piece of sponge 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches. Use sharp scissors or other tool to thread the free end of the string through the center of the sponge. Tie a knot.
• Use a bit of water to dampen the sponge. Fold the sponge in half in your hand and grab the string towards the mouth of the cup. Drag the sponge down the string. What happens?
• You can have fun decorating your chicken to look more like a chicken or turkey with construction paper feathers, real feathers, or felt.

  

  

  
  

What questions can you answer with the plastic cup chicken? What difference does the string make? Try cotton string, yarn, or polyester kite string. Try different lengths of string. Does the cup size make a difference? Try 16 oz. plastic, 9 oz. plastic, paper cups, or coffee cups. What methods can be used to wet the string? Try sponge, paper towel, or cloth.

Supplies

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• Plastic cup
• String
• Felt
• Sponge
• Hot glue gun
• Googly eyes

What is the science?

Content: sound, vibration in a string, wave frequency

Pulling on the string sets up a vibration in the string that is transferred to the air molecules around the string. The cup amplifies the sound, making it louder. Your ear will hear a pitch that is the frequency of the sound, or vibrations/second.

Resource links

• http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound
  • Sound waves and music from The Physics Classroom

I’ll be looking for comments below, or contact me at lisa [at] thecasabouquet[dot]com.