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Teeth on Edge – A Real Screech
This year's International Year of Physics celebrates the four famous papers written by Albert Einstein in 1904-1905. This challenge honored Einstein's work with the motion of molecules by exploring sound waves. Einstein credited his amazing ability to focus his thinking to the study and performance of music.
Teams were presented with several unusual musical instruments, including a sonare, armonica, and rodophone. Certain pieces of the instruments were removed prior to the challenge. Finalists worked to fabricate the appropriate resonating piece, tuned to the proper note. Once their instruments began working properly, they were challenged to perform and record an instrumental piece with the help of a keyboardist and sound technician.
Judges evaluated the processes used to determine and explain how the musical instruments generated tones, how adjustments and repairs were made to the instruments, and the teamwork employed to generate actual music.
One of Benjamin Franklin's many prized inventions, the glass armonica, is played by a finalist. low res - high res
Blake Zwerling explains her musical strategy to teammate Jonathon Reasoner. low res - high res
Kirk Longhofer demonstrates the resonance of the musical instrument, the sonare, for Anton Schraut and Chana Rich. low res - high res
Team Blue strategizes how they will incorporate each unique instrument into a creative musical arrangement based on the classic, Beethoven's 5th. low res - high res
Each team had the option of re-recording Beethoven's 5th, Ride of the Valkyries (Wagner), or William Tell's Overtures (Rossini) – but with their own twist of creativity and personality. low res - high res
David Sharples tests the amplitude and resonance of the tricky theramin. low res - high res
Team Blue (from left: Amanda Lu, Chana Rich, David Sharples, and Anton Schraut)get hands-on with the armonica. low res - high res
Mary Ann Messer and Chana Rich produce melodic sounds on the aptly-named LSI (long-stringed instrument). low res - high res
Amanda Lu records a melody as her team cheers her on. low res - high res
