My Journey from Music Production to Science Activities for Children
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Glenard Patnelli
13 January 2025
🕓 10 min
A Passion Transformed
Life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths. For me, it started with a love for music production—an art that revolves around creating soundscapes, experimenting with different frequencies, and manipulating vibrations. Little did I know that this passion for sound would one day evolve into a career centered around inspiring young minds through science activities. This is the story of how I transitioned from producing music in the studio to running hands-on science workshops for children.
1. The Early Days: Falling in Love with Sound
My fascination with sound began long before I entered the world of music production. As a child, I would experiment with different objects, tapping them to hear how they sounded, trying to mimic the music I heard on the radio. Eventually, this curiosity blossomed into a formal pursuit of music production, where I learned to manipulate sound waves, create beats, and layer different frequencies to produce music that resonated with others.
In the studio, I spent countless hours fine-tuning tracks, adjusting pitches, and balancing volumes—all processes deeply rooted in the science of sound. While I loved the creative process, I also became increasingly fascinated by the technical side: How do sound waves work? Why do certain frequencies evoke specific emotions? These questions planted the seed for a new passion—one that extended beyond music and into the world of science.
2. The Turning Point: Discovering a New Calling
My transition from music production to science activities didn’t happen overnight. It started when I was invited to host a workshop at a local school, where I was asked to explain how music is made. To make it more engaging, I decided to break down the science behind sound—how vibrations create sound waves, how pitch changes with frequency, and how different materials affect the way sound travels.
To my surprise, the kids were enthralled. They weren’t just interested in how music was made—they wanted to understand the science behind it. Seeing their excitement sparked something in me. I realized that I could use my knowledge of sound and music to teach kids about science in a way that was fun, engaging, and memorable.
3. Bridging Music and Science
What makes sound such a fascinating subject to explore with children is its accessibility. You don’t need expensive equipment to understand how sound works—just everyday objects, like rubber bands, balloons, and glasses filled with water. My background in music gave me a unique perspective on how to present these concepts in a way that children could easily grasp.
For example, I often introduce the concept of pitch by having kids create their own rubber band guitars. By plucking different bands, they can hear how the pitch changes based on the thickness and tension of the rubber band. This simple activity not only teaches them about pitch and frequency but also sparks their creativity as they experiment with different sounds.
Another favorite activity is the water xylophone, where kids fill glasses with varying amounts of water and tap them with a spoon to create different pitches. It’s a fun way to demonstrate how sound waves travel through liquids and how the amount of water affects the pitch.
4. Building The Science of Sound
What started as a single workshop soon grew into something much bigger. I realized there was a genuine demand for hands-on, engaging science activities that went beyond traditional classroom learning. That’s when I founded The Science of Sound—a program dedicated to teaching children about the wonders of sound, music, and physics through interactive workshops, holiday camps, and after-school clubs.
Our sessions are designed to make science fun and accessible for all children, regardless of their background. From creating simple instruments to exploring how sound waves travel through different mediums, our activities are rooted in the belief that kids learn best when they’re actively involved in the process.
5. The Rewarding Moments
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been seeing the excitement on children’s faces when they grasp a new concept or successfully complete an experiment. Whether it’s the joy of hearing the different pitches on their water xylophones or the thrill of making sound waves visible with a DIY drum, these moments remind me why I made the transition from music production to science education.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with schools and community groups, helping to foster a love of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in young minds. Knowing that I’m helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and maybe even future music producers is incredibly fulfilling.
6. Lessons Learned Along the Way
My journey has taught me several important lessons:
Passion Can Evolve: What starts as a passion in one field can grow and transform into something completely different.
Creativity and Science Go Hand in Hand: Whether it’s making music or conducting experiments, both require curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to explore.
Engagement Is Key: Kids learn best when they’re having fun. By combining play with education, we can make complex scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable.
Never Stop Learning: Transitioning from music production to science education required me to learn new skills, adapt, and stay curious. It’s a journey of continuous growth, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
7. Looking Ahead: Inspiring More Young Minds
As I continue this journey, my goal is to reach even more children through The Science of Sound. We’re constantly developing new workshops and activities that blend music, sound, and science, making learning an exciting adventure. I’m also exploring partnerships with schools and community organizations to bring our programs to a wider audience.
Ultimately, my hope is to inspire children to stay curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them. Whether they go on to become scientists, musicians, or something else entirely, the skills they learn through STEM activities—problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity—will serve them well in any field they choose.
Conclusion:
From Music to Science, and Beyond
My journey from music production to science education has been an incredible adventure—one that continues to evolve with each workshop, each curious question from a child, and each new discovery. It’s a reminder that life’s path isn’t always linear, and sometimes the most unexpected detours lead to the most rewarding destinations.
At The Science of Sound, we’re committed to making science fun, engaging, and accessible for all children. If you’d like to learn more about our workshops, holiday camps, or after-school clubs, feel free to explore our programs or get in touch. Let’s inspire the next generation of curious minds, one soundwave at a time.
At The Science of Sound, we’re passionate about making science fun and accessible. If you enjoyed these activities, check out our holiday camps and interactive workshops, where kids can dive deeper into the fascinating world of sound!
Contact us today to find out how you can be part of the borough’s exciting future!
