Rock out with us as we make some noise and learn about the scientific wonders of music. The drum is the heartbeat, connecting us to our mothers and Mother Earth. Innovation is important in music and in science. Music helps us dream, learn, and connect with our ancestors. Dr. Leroy Littlebear says the wind is an energy wave, and different sounds are created as it moves through the landscape.

Greg Coyes, Métis/Cree filmmaker, says music is the language of the heart. He shows some items used to make rhythmic sounds in Métis music, and performs the Coyote Science Blues with Cree-Dene musician, Sherryl Sewepagaham. Sherryl demonstrates how you can see sound vibrations by putting rice grains on top of a hand drum.

Kai shows how sound waves move by putting cornstarch goop (oobleck) on top of a music speaker and playing “All my Relations”, a song with lots of bass.

Chickasaw Nation astronaut John Herrington explains that sound waves travel, the relationship of frequency to pitch, how the size of a sound wave is related to volume, and that rhythmic music can synchronize the heartbeats of a group of listeners. Pitch, volume, and rhythm are the elements of music. The inaudible hum of the earth created by earthquakes, crashing waves, and volcanoes can be detected by scientists who then analyze Earth’s crust. Indigenous music is mostly ceremonial, John explains.

COYOTE’S CRAZY SMART SCIENCE SHOW (Coyote Science) is a fun, educational science series designed for elementary students. Drawing on wisdom from pioneers in Indigenous education, including Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Amethyst First Rider, and Dr. Lorna Williams, Coyote Science bridges the worlds of Indigenous and Western science, teaching kids scientific concepts through discussions with Indigenous scientists, storytelling, animation, music, and experiments.

BIO: Created by Loretta Todd, a Métis–Cree filmmaker who was one of the first Indigenous women to pursue film studies at Simon Fraser University in BC. Loretta is an amateur science geek who always wanted to inspire Indigenous children and youth to learn more about science, especially Indigenous science. Using her creative skills as a creative, L. S. Todd is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning filmmaker known for powerful, visual storytelling and cultural leadership.