Make a Whistle & Be a “Whistle Blower”

cults3d

Make a Whistle and Be a "Whistle Blower" This is a STEM education project that explores the whistle mechanism, specifically edge tone, rather than creating a lifelike whistle. The whistle design appears simple yet complex. Mathematically, it consists of a cylinder and a rectangular box with an opening, potentially containing a ball. The challenge lies in designing a whistle that produces sound or functions as expected. This project proves to be a messy process. Designing, imagining, and printing the whistle often results in disappointment, making it an ideal inquiry lesson for STEM classes. Several years ago, I attempted this project with limited success. Recently, inspired by students' ideas, I revisited the challenge. Below is a summary of my efforts, acknowledging that there are alternative approaches to this STEM project. Summary of My Efforts: 1. Without consulting references, I envisioned a whistle based on my understanding and created a sketch detailing its measurements and basic structure. 2. I experimented with varying opening widths (approximately 2.5mm) while adjusting the position of the edge/blade. 3. Discovering that the opening width significantly affects performance, I created whistles with openings ranging from 10mm to 4mm. All worked, but the 4mm version produced the best sound. 4. After researching "edge tone," I found a relevant webpage (reference). 5. I decided to design a whistle with an adjustable opening. 6. The challenge remains ongoing; further investigation is required when time permits. Among the Files: A whistle featuring a long neck and two versions of a slider for adjusting the opening, with modifications to allow for support-free printing. Six whistles with specific opening widths (2mm-16mm), except for the 2mm version, which did not function as intended. Reference: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Music/edge.html