8th Grade "Electric" Guitar Project
A dynamic collaboration with Upper School Makery and Science had eighth graders designing and building "electric" guitars.
Armed with wood, guitar strings, electrical components, hand tools, a “can-do” spirit, and elbow grease, students explored the science of sound and engineering by constructing working guitars from scratch. The project blended physics, art, and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
The heart of the project was understanding how vibration creates sound and how sound waves send information. Students began by studying the basics of waves, sound, and electromagnetism, culminating in how electric guitars use generators, also known as pickups —typically magnets wrapped in coils of wire—to convert string vibrations into electrical signals.
Then, using materials from the Upper School Makery, they created their versions of these pickups. The strings, made from metal wire, are stretched over a laser-cut wooden body. In the process, students learn how to use the laser cutter to create the body and many other wood-working tools to shape and modify the neck of the guitar. In the end, students plugged their creations into mini amplifiers or speakers. The project centered around perseverance and teamwork, encouraging students to collaborate and troubleshoot like real engineers.
“On an engineering level, the project demystifies how much of our day-to-day world works – transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy, and electrical energy back into mechanical energy. On a pedagogical level, I want my students to gain practical skills — building with woodworking tools and developing a sense of craftspersonship that fosters confidence, creativity, and care in their work,” said Dr. Rawlings, the Upper School Science teacher.
“The students embodied a growth-mindset as they took on a complicated project that required many new skills and offered challenging problems to navigate. It wasn’t always easy, but they persevered and made some great instruments!” said Jesse Swagerty, Upper School Makery teacher.
The guitars will be on exhibit at the 2025 Arts Festival, an all-school gallery walk celebrating the many ways Burke’s students engage in the arts!
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