How to Make a Homemade Stethoscope

Stethoscopes, used by all doctors, amplify sound in order to easily hear heartbeats, determine fluid in lungs, and more. Elementary school students studying the body or how sound travels can make their own stethoscopes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small hose Large funnel Small funnel Electrical tape Strong scissors or a utility knife Ruler Permanent marker

1. Measure 15 inches of a garden hose by laying it against a ruler on a flat surface. Mark the hose at both ends with a permanent marker.

2. Using scissors or a utility knife, cut the hose as marked.

3. Push the small end of a small funnel into one end of the hose.

4. Wrap with electrical tape to keep the funnel in place.

5. Place the large funnel into the other end of the hose. Tape this into place with the electrical tape.

6. Press the wider end of the large funnel against a friend's chest and place the small funnel in your ear. Listen to and count the heartbeats you hear in one minute.

7. Ask your friend to do some jumping jacks. Listen to the heartbeat again and count the beats you now hear in one minute. Compare the two sets of data.

Tips & Warnings

• A simple stethoscope can also be made using a paper towel roll. Put the small end of a funnel at the end of the roll and place against your friend's heart. Put your ear at the other end and listen.
• Have an adult cut the hose if you are a child. A utility knife or sharp pair of scissors can cause injury if used improperly.

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