When you mix a bit of science, some art, and a little imagination, everyday objects can suddenly become so many things, including music!
In our Melody Maker STEAM Challenge, students will team up to design and build a musical instrument using just four materials. But the challenge doesn’t end there—each group will also create and present a short, 2-minute performance that features their new instrument.
Building and performing with their instrument lets students experience how creativity, communication, and problem-solving come together. Just as important, it gives kids a chance to practice speaking and presenting in front of others—building confidence in their voices while having fun experimenting and surprising themselves with what they can create.
The Challenge
Using only 4 materials, work together as a team to design and build an instrument that can make at least three distinct sounds. Then, create a short performance that shows off your instrument, your creativity, and your teamwork skills.
Materials
Choose any 4 items from the suggested materials list below to create your instrument. Think about how each material might make sound—can it be struck, plucked, blown, or shaken?
| • Plastic bottles • Rubber bands • Cardboard tubes • Metal spoons • Paper plates • Aluminum foil • Straws • Popsicle sticks • String or yarn • Tape or glue | • Paper or cardstock • Binder clips • Clothespins • Boxes • Buckets • Cans (clean and empty) • Plastic jars • Sticks or twigs • Pebbles • Shells • Leaves |
Team Note: Scissors may be used for designing and building, but may not be included in your solution.
Facilitator Note: For younger students, you may want to guide them toward exploring how different objects can work together to produce different types of sounds, such as something hollow, something stretchy, and something hard.
Time Limit
Teams will have 20 minutes total to complete the challenge:
- 15 minutes to choose materials, design, build, and test the instrument
- 5 minutes to plan and practice the performance
Scoring (Up to 100 points)
A. 5 points for each distinct sound your instrument makes (Up to 15 points)
B. Up to 20 points for the creative use of materials in your instrument design
C. Up to 20 points for the overall effectiveness of your presentation (how everything comes together, including the instrument, the sounds, and the story)
D. Up to 20 points for the creativity of your performance
E. Up to 25 points for how well your team works together
Reflection Questions
- What type of instrument did you make? How did you work together to make it create different sounds?
- What was the most challenging part of the activity, and how did your team handle it?
- How did your team decide what to include in your instrument and your performance? How did it feel to share your ideas in front of others?
- If you could do this challenge again, what instrument would you make or what would you do differently?
🎤 Ready to Play?
Grab your team, gather four materials, and see if you can turn them into music. Share your team’s design with us on social media using #DestinationImagination.
