DIY Stethoscope For Kids

Make a super simple DIY stethoscope that works, inspired by Indigenous doctor Susan Picotte. Dr Picotte was one of the first American Indigenous peoples and the first Indigenous woman to earn a medical degree. Find out how to make a stethoscope from things you will find around the house. We love fun, hands-on STEM projects for kids!

HOW TO MAKE A STETHOSCOPE

HOW DOES A STETHOSCOPE WORK

A stethoscope is a medical instrument that listens to bodily sounds, specifically the heart and lungs. Until the invention of the stethoscope, doctors would put their ears to the patient’s chest to listen to the internal sounds. This had its limitations!

Also, learn more about the human body with our simple heart model and lung model.

In the 1800’s French doctor René Laennec was having trouble hearing the sounds from a patient’s chest, so he rolled up his notebook, put it to their chest, and listened. It was groundbreaking!

From there, he experimented with wooden sound devices. He called his device a stethoscope, which is Greek for “looking into the thorax”.

In 1851, Irish doctor Arthur Leared made it bi-aural, which meant it had two tubes for hearing with both ears.

Nowadays the modern stethoscope is one of the most common medical instruments we associate with nurses and doctors.

WHO IS DR SUSAN PICOTTE

Susan La Flesche Picotte, born in 1865, was one of the first American Indigenous peoples, and the first Indigenous woman, to earn a medical degree. She grew up on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska.

After attending medical school in Pennsylvania via scholarship, she returned to Nebraska to care for the Omaha people. She was the only doctor for over 1200 people and sometimes worked 20 hour days.

Dr Picotte was known for working on several public health causes for the Omaha people, including
hygiene, sanitation, and tuberculosis. In 1913, she realized her dream of opening a hospital in the reservation town of Walthill, Nebraska.

Check out more Indigenous Peoples Activities for kids!

On many occasions Dr Picotte would have used a stethoscope to diagnosis and treat patients. Find out how to make your own stethoscope below with our step by step instructions.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PRINTABLE STETHOSCOPE PROJECT!

DIY STETHOSCOPE

Interested in exploring more famous men and women in science? Click here for fantastic, free science projects.

SUPPLIES:

• Funnel
• Duct tape
• Paper towel roll

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Place the small end of your funnel inside the paper towel roll.

STEP 2: Use several pieces of duct tape to attach the funnel and tube.

STEP 3: Now place the ‘stethoscope’ on a volunteer’s chest and listen very carefully. You should be able to hear their heart beating! Make sure the room is quiet.

Get them to jump around before listening to your partner’s heart! What do you notice?

More Fun Things to Make

Build a DIY thermometer.

Make your own homemade air cannon and blast down some dominoes.

Make a homemade magnifying glass.

Build a compass and work out which way is true north.

Construct a working Archimedes screw simple machine.

Make a paper helicopter and explore motion in action.

Explore More Famous Scientists Here

Pin