STETHOSCOPE PROJECT
You will need:
- A balloon
- A piece of tubing
- 2 small funnels
- Scissors
- A timer
- Rubber band (optional)
- A calculator (optional)
Steps:
- Take the piece of tubing and fit a funnel to each end.
- Stretch the balloon by blowing it up and then letting the air out.
- Cut off the top third of the balloon with scissors.
- Stretch the top third of the balloon tightly over the open end of one the funnels. If necessary, use a rubber band to hold it in place.
USING THE STETHOSCOPE:
- Find your heart with your hand by feeling where it beats in your chest.
- Sit down somewhere quiet and place the end of the funnel with the balloon over it against your chest, directly onto your skin, just to the left centre.
- Hold the other funnel to your ear. You should hear a low beating sound.
- Use the timer to count how many beats you hear in 20 seconds. Multiply this number by three (use a calculator if you’re not confident) to find out how fast your heart beats in one minute.
- Try doing some more tests such as running around for 5 minutes and then checking how fast your heart is beating. Compare your results to your brothers, sisters, parents and even pets heart rates, are there any differences?
HEALTH TIPS: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals use stethoscopes to understand what is going on with your body when you are sick. And now you can too!!