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Journals / Ege Eğitim Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 27 Sayı: 2

Al-Jazari's Mechanical Devices Featuring Musical Elements: Examples That Inspire a STEAM Approach

El-Cezeri’nin Müziksel Ögeler İçeren Mekanik Cihazları: STEAM Yaklaşımına İlham Veren Örnekler

Zeynep Özer(ULUDAĞ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EĞİTİM BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ, MÜZİK EĞİTİMİ (DR))0000-0001-5884-3367
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-05
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that El-Cezeri’s mechanical designs are not only technically advanced but also multifunctional systems that effectively employ music for timekeeping, entertainment, and automatic operation.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines mechanical devices incorporating musical elements in Kitab fī Maʿrifat al-Ḥiyal al-Handasiyya by El-Cezeri, one of the leading scientists of the 12th century, within the STEAM framework.
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Key Findings & Data:In accordance with the defined criteria, four mechanical devices that include a musical function actively integrated into their mechanical systems were selected.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that El-Cezeri’s mechanical designs are not only technically advanced but also multifunctional systems that effectively employ music for timekeeping, entertainment, and automatic operation.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:El-Cezeri · Mekanik · STEAM Yaklaşımı

Abstract

This study examines mechanical devices incorporating musical elements in Kitab fī Maʿrifat al-Ḥiyal al-Handasiyya by El-Cezeri, one of the leading scientists of the 12th century, within the STEAM framework. Document analysis was employed as the research method, and criterion sampling, a purposive sampling method, was used to select the data sources. In accordance with the defined criteria, four mechanical devices that include a musical function actively integrated into their mechanical systems were selected. The data were analysed using deductive content analysis, and themes were developed related to the devices’ structural characteristics, musical elements, associated STEAM disciplines, and the purposes of musical use. The findings indicate that El-Cezeri’s mechanical designs are not only technically advanced but also multifunctional systems that effectively employ music for timekeeping, entertainment, and automatic operation. These devices demonstrate the integrated use of engineering, hydrodynamics, mathematics, astronomy, visual arts, and music. Notably, the mechanisms that enable musical instruments to play automatically represent early examples of programmable systems. Overall, the results suggest that the fundamental principles of the STEAM approach have existed for centuries and that art, particularly music, has historically been integrated with STEAM disciplines, highlighting the historical roots of STEAM education.

Özet

Bu çalışma, 12. yüzyılın önde gelen bilim insanlarından El-Cezeri'nin Kitab fī Maʿrifat al-Ḥiyal al-Handasiyya adlı eserinde, müziksel unsurları içeren mekanik cihazları, STEAM yaklaşımı çerçevesinde incelemektedir. Araştırma yöntemi olarak belge analizi kullanılmış ve veri kaynaklarının seçimi için amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden ölçüt örnekleme yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Tanımlanan kriterlere göre, mekanik sistemlerine aktif olarak entegre edilmiş müziksel bir fonksiyona sahip dört mekanik cihaz seçilmiştir. Veriler, tümdengelimci içerik analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiş ve cihazların yapısal özellikleri, müziksel unsurları, ilgili STEAM disiplinleri ve müziksel kullanım amaçlarıyla ilgili temalar oluşturulmuştur. Bulgular, El-Cezeri'nin mekanik tasarımlarının sadece teknik olarak gelişmiş olmakla kalmayıp, aynı zamanda zaman tutma, eğlence ve otomatik çalışma için müziği etkili bir şekilde kullanan çok fonksiyonlu sistemler olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu cihazlar; mühendislik, hidrodinamik, matematik, astronomi, görsel sanatlar ve müziğin entegre kullanımını göstermektedir. Özellikle, müzik aletlerinin otomatik olarak çalmasını sağlayan mekanizmalar, programlanabilir sistemlerin erken örneklerini temsil etmektedir. Genel olarak, sonuçlar STEAM yaklaşımının temel ilkelerinin yüzyıllardır var olduğunu göstermektedir. Sanatın, özellikle müziğin, tarihsel olarak STEAM disiplinleriyle bütünleştiği ve STEAM eğitiminin tarihsel kökenlerini vurguladığı görülmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Özer, Z. (2026). Al-Jazari's Mechanical Devices Featuring Musical Elements: Examples That Inspire a STEAM Approach. Ege Eğitim Dergisi, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 2. https://ajindex.com/articles/1274210

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