Math and science
Shape Detective
Count the circles, triangles and rectangles hiding in a robot, then build your own character from shapes.
Thinking sheet · Math and science
Cup Phone Test
Build a cup and string phone and test how string length and tightness change the sound.
- Grades
- 1–5
- Time
- about 30 minutes
- Topic
- Math and science
- Kids practice
- sound and vibration, testing variables, building
What kids do
“Make a phone from cups and string! Can you hear me now?”
- My cup phone
- I used…
- What I tested
- Sound travels through the string because…
How to run it
- Knot the string inside each cup.
- Pinch the string to stop the sound.
- Try paper cups and plastic cups.
Talk about it
- Why does tight work better?
- What stopped the sound?
- How do real phones work?
Take it further
Make a three-way phone.
Pairs well with
Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.
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