Have you explored our Voice Over exhibit at the Science Mill? This unique piece combines art and science to explore communication. When you stand in front of one and whisper, your conversational partner can hear you from 300 feet away!
Voice Over uses parabolic reflectors to focus sound waves into a single point. This focus allows the sound to travel farther and be heard more clearly at the end focal point.
If you’re intrigued by the science behind this exhibit, your kids probably are too. We have some conversation starters available to guide discussions on the properties of sound and more!
Elementary:
If you had a magic dish that could help you hear things from far away, what would you like to listen to?"
Have you ever seen a big satellite dish on a house or on TV? What do you think it's for?
Middle School:
If you were trying to spy on animals in the wild, how could a parabolic reflector help you? What sounds would you want to hear?"
In some very large places, like train stations or stadiums, people can hear each other from far away without shouting. How do you think that happens?
High School:
Parabolic reflectors focus waves – like sound waves and radio waves. Can you think of some real-world applications where this technology would be useful?
Parabolic reflectors are more common than you might think. Can you think of some other ways we use them everyday (examples include telescopes, satellite dishes and microphones)? How do you think focusing waves can be used for both sound and light?