Moose Call

It's hard to believe anything so small and simple could be so loud and educational!

- SciencetoyMaker

The picture and video are from "親子で作ろう・遊ぼう", the website of Gakujinsha, a Japanese non-profit organization. The website is full of interesting projects and funny, good-natured writing. He put powdered rosin on his fingers to increase the friction, tried it out late at night and woke up his whole family. Read more about Gakujinsha here.

I learned about this amazing device from Mrs. Wilma Moore. Her husband runs a science club where he teaches at the First Nations Reserve in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. She said that hunters actually use them when calling in moose.

Aside from the sheer fun of it, the moose call demonstrates the concept that makes acoustic stringed instruments (violin, guitar, cello, banjo) as loud as they are. But don't expect to carry a tune on it. In the More About section you can read about what a sound board* is and how it amplifies sound.

*Violin, guitar, and piano strings press down on a bridge which conducts their vibration to a large, thin piece of wood called the soundboard.

I'd like to know how this project goes for you. I'm happy to answer questions about it. Feedback from you is an important way for me to know what works and what needs clarification.