You will need:
- Two Funnels
- Two Balloons
- Two feet of clear plastic tubing
- Electrical Tape
- Scissors
Steps to follow:
- Cut the end of the balloons off.
- Take one funnel. Pull one balloon over the larger opening of the funnel. Make sure you pull the balloon tight enough so that it stretches over the funnel, like a drum.
- Secure the balloon with electrical tape.
- Stick the smaller end of the funnel to the plastic tube. (Ensure that your plastic tube is clear and flexible). Secure the joining section of the funnel and the tube with the electrical tape.
- Now, you have one side of your stethoscope ready!
- Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 on the other end of the plastic tube for the other side.
- Voila! Your stethoscope is ready!
Find a quiet place in your house to test the stethoscope. Place teh balloon end of ones side of the tube over your heart and listen through the other end. In case the sound is too faint, try exercising for a minute, and listen to your heartbeat again.
Learning Activities:
- Count the number of times your heart beats in 15 seconds. Take that number and multiply it by 4. That is your heart rate per minute. What is the number?
- Listen to your classmates heart. What is their heart rate? Is it slower or faster?
- Listen to your own heart beat and count your heart rate while you are seated. Note that number down. Now, stand up and do 10 jumping jacks and count your heart rate again. Which number is higher, your heart rate while seated, or your heart rate after doing jumping jacks?
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think your heart rat eis different when seated vs when you just finished doing jumping jacks?
- If an animal is scared and in pain. Would their heart rate be faster or slower than tehir heart rate when they are resting? Why?
- Do you remember what veterinarians use stethoscopes for? Name two things a veterinarian can listen to with their stethoscope.
- Write down what you think the average heart rate is for a human, a dog, a cat, a cow, and a horse.