Middle school students build instruments from technology at Virginia Tech

Middle school students from around the region this week built musical instruments using some of the technology at Virginia Tech.

These kids used laptops, computer programs, electronic sensors, and 3-D printers to turn junk into music.

Those in charge say the project combines science, engineering, arts, and design.

"This camp is one of the things that brings kids into that space so they can actually work where they build things together and programming and designing a thing that never was before," VT ICAT Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Phyllis Newbill said.

"At first I wasn't really interested in the technology, really, but after they explained it a lot clearer than most people, it was really interesting," 11-year old Sophia Smith from Blacksburg said.

In total, five new instruments were built and performed Thursday.