Red Head Chili Peppers

What happens when 12 year old 6th graders spend 2 months dreaming up and creating their very own instrumental concoctions? Ear candy--that is what happens. William spent hours upon hours on this amazing science assignment. Inspiring teachers illicit inspired ideas from their students. William happens to have a truly passionate science teacher (yup, in his artsy middle school), Mr. Rose, who is committed to making science fun. After learning about "sound", the kids had an opportunity to dream up their own instruments. William knew right away that he wanted to make a combination piano/glockenspiel. How was another matter. He sketched out what he had in mind and he and Bill went to the hardware store to find some suitable materials. They came home with all kinds of materials (wood, screws, nuts, bolts, copper piping, fishing line, springs, and hinges) and some ideas of how to actually make keys that would hit the pipes. Hours were spent painting, drilling, threading, attaching, decorating and readjusting to make it work and look just like William had dreamed up.
Step two of this intensive assignment-- participate creating a song with 2 others and perform as a band in a Battle of the Bands competition. William pulled two of his good friends who had made a string instrument (electric one string bass) and percussion instrument (a drum), picked a band name (Red Head Chili Peppers for his buddy O's red hair) and performed "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath-- well sort of. You be the judge (click link below). His band made it past the first cut and are now in the finals to win it all (the prize being a mouth harp or harmonica, the boys couldn't remember.) Viva Los Red Head Chili Peppers!