ERIC Number: EJ1116228
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Designing a Sound Reducing Wall
Erk, Kendra; Lumkes, John; Shambach, Jill; Braile, Larry; Brickler, Anne; Matthys, Anna
Science and Children, v53 n1 p52-59 Sep 2015
Acoustical engineers use their knowledge of sound to design quiet environments (e.g., classrooms and libraries) as well as to design environments that are supposed to be loud (e.g., concert halls and football stadiums). They also design sound barriers, such as the walls along busy roadways that decrease the traffic noise heard by people in neighboring houses. To help students better understand sound in a fun and engaging way, the authors conducted an engineering design-based science learning activity that is appropriate for a one-hour time block in a third- or fourth-grade classroom. In this activity, student teams were challenged to design, construct, and test a sound-reducing wall created from common classroom materials. This article provides a lesson overview, describes the engineering design challenge, and how the teachers performed assessments of the students' work.
Descriptors: Acoustics, Science Instruction, Engineering, Elementary School Students, Grade 3, Grade 4, Student Evaluation, Learning Activities, Barriers, Design, Brainstorming, Discussion, Standards
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 0962840