Ears: Do design, size, and shape matter?

Organization
Science Buddies
Brief Description

Have you ever been puzzled by a faint noise nearby, trying to discover what it is? Maybe you turned your head or cupped your hand behind your ear, hoping to hear the sound better. What if we could make this cup huge? After all, some animals with exceptional hearing have big ears, like a serval (a type of wildcat), which can hear a mouse wiggling its way underground. Birds are even believed to use their entire head as an outer ear.

In this activity, you will design and test your newest hearing aid, looking at animal ears for clues about what helps improve the auditory sense.

Read more at https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/ears-do-their-design-size-and-shape-matter

Credits

Sabine De Brabandere, PhD, Science Buddies
Theme
Animals
General
Resource Type
STEM/STEAM Activities
Delivery Format
In Person