This story uses the “tin can” telephone (TCT) as a focus for inquiry into the transmission of sound waves along a medium and also provides an opportunity for kids to try their hand at improving a simple device so that it works better. Students will experiment with various parts of the TCT changing variables and trying to find the best combination for optimum transmission of their voices. This story has a two-pronged purpose. One has to do with learning something about sound (science) and the other has to do with learning about using science to modify the things in the world to solve human problems (technology).