Abstract By Lawrence G.

Question being addressed:

Can I detect different tones of a homemade gourd rattle?

Hypothesis/Problem/engineering Goals

I think the large Lima beans, being they are the biggest in size than all of the gourds; it will make the tone of the rattle the loudest. Other objects used that will have little affect on the loudness, are pebbles, popcorn kernels, and white rice.

Description in detail of method or procedures

Procedures that assist the project to succeed are as following: First, gather materials in making homemade rattles, then, selected three gourds from grandpa’s garden. After that, a circle was drawn in each end of the gourd for the handle, and drilled a hole into each end of the gourd. The next step included, rolling a piece of sandpaper like a stick, and stuck the sandpaper into the drilled hole of the gourd and began sanding the gourd open which formed a hole, When both sides of the gourd had holes, cleaned out the inside of the gourd by shaking out the seeds and the flakes. After cleaning out the gourds used a hand saw and cut off a branch from the cedar wood. Measured each group up against the cedar branch and cut it to the desired length. When all three branches are cut to fit my gourds, whittling of each branch again. Had to be very careful using the sharp blade. Whittle one end of the branch until it fit the gourd. The proceeded to whittle the other end which would be the handle of the rattle. When all three handles were created, decision was made as to how much large lima beans, pebbles, popcorn kernels, and white rice needed to be use. Next, measured and poured each item into the three different sized gourds, reinserted the cedar handles, and began shaking the rattle very hard and fast. Recorded by listening to how each of the rattles sounded. The results was then graphed which rattle was had the loudest tone and the findings were the lima beans in the large gourd, along with the popcorn kernels being the loudest in the medium size gourd. And the lowest tone came from the gourd with white rice inside it.

In conclusion, my hypothesis was wrong, it was only the loudest inside the large gourd, not the medium or the small size gourd. Popcorn kernels was the loudest in the other gourds.

Bibliography:

“Gourds.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1962, p.267. Vol. 7. Anderson, Peter. Spiritual Rattles.” Ceremonies and Healing.

http://HealingRattles.com.edu. September 8, 2004

“Rattles.” The World Encyclopedia. 1988, p. 172-281. Vol. 19. Victor, Edward. “Science for the Elementary School.” 1985, p 669.