Science workshop with sliding vocal-tract model

In recent years, we have developed physical models of the vocal tract to promote education in the speech sciences for all ages of students. Beginning with our initial models based on Chiba and Kajiyama’s measurements, we have gone on to present many other models to the public. Through science fairs which attract all ages, including elementary through college level students, we have sought to increase awareness of the importance of the speech sciences in the public mind. In this paper we described two science workshops we organized at the National Science Museum in 2006 and 2007 in Japan.