GOAL
To learn about sound and design a solution to combat noise pollution
Sound & Acoustics
Mitigating Noise Pollution
2025-08-18_v1.0
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Breakout Development Team
DYLAN WEBER
College: Fairfield University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
JULIAN CENTENO
College: SUNY Polytechnic Institute ‘23
Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology
TRAVIS SLUSS
College: SUNY Purchase, BS ‘07
Major: Studio Production
Industry Experience: MacInspires, �Red Lotus Productions
CAROLINE GILLESPIE
College: University of Notre Dame ‘23
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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OUTLINE
Sound Conceptual Basics
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Build your Own Noise Pollution System
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Sound Conceptual Basics
PART 1
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Sound Fundamentals
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Video Recap
ANSWER ME! List three new things you learned about sound!
List your answers here.
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What is Sound: Summary
Sound is created when something vibrates and sends out waves of energy
Vibrations travel through mediums, which include:
Stronger vibrations = more energy = louder sound
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Pitch and Frequency
Sound changes depending on speed of vibration
Pitch is the quality of a sound (high / low)
Frequency is # of times per second that a sound pressure wave repeats itself
ANSWER ME!
What was the highest frequency you could hear? Compare your number with people around you!
Type your answer here.
Test your Ears!
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What Frequency Range do Animals Hear?
Frequency Activity
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Measuring Sound
Sound measured in decibels (dB)
Sounds that reach 85 decibels or higher can harm a person’s ears.
LEAVES
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Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.
Noise pollution impacts millions of people on a daily basis. The most common health problem it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
These health problems can affect all age groups, especially children. Many children who live near noisy airports or streets have been found to suffer from stress, impairments in memory, attention level, and reading skill.
Type your answer here.
ANSWER ME!
List as many sources of noise pollution you’ve
experienced in the past 24 hours.
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Health Effects of Noise Pollution
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How Can We Reduce Sound Pollution?
Existing Systems
How Absorptive Noise Barrier Walls Reduce Noise
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Build Your Own Noise Pollution System
PART 2
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Imagine you are a team of acoustical engineers.
THINK
The following slides will walk you through the engineering process to build a soundproof barrier!
The Engineering Design Process
Click HERE for more information on the Engineering Design Process!
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Make a Sketch!
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Lab Instructions
Place your buzzer here
Place your decibel level meter here
STUDENT KIT ITEMS | ||
1 kit: 3 students | ||
Item/Link | Quantity | Photo |
1 | | |
(12V or 24V) | 1 | OR |
1 | | |
2 | | |
1 | | |
TEACHER’S KIT | ||
Materials will be distributed throughout the class. | ||
Item/Link | Quantity | Photo |
6 | | |
(12V or 24V) | 3 | OR |
1 | | |
The Components for Sound & Acoustics
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Materials
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Textbooks
Other Examples of Materials
Aluminum Foil
Textbooks
Ziploc Bags
Paper Rolls
Wood
Do some research!
Jacket
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Step One: Identify the Problem
ANSWER ME! What are some real world problems a sound barrier can solve?
Type your answer here.
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Step Two: Research
ANSWER ME! What solutions already exist to manage noise pollution?
Type your answer here
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Some Examples
Be creative! Use materials available in your classroom:
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Step Three: Design your Solution
ANSWER ME! Using what you have observed from your research on materials and pre-existing solutions, draw out a diagram of your team’s first design for a noise pollution solution.
CONSTRAINT #1: Keep your design thickness under 30cm
CONSTRAINT #2: Your design MUST use a minimum of 3 different materials
Insert photos or drawings here.
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Step Four: Build your First Prototype
ANSWER ME! Using the materials provided and whatever else you find around your house or school, construct your first sound pollution barrier!
Insert images of your design here.
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Step Five: Test - Activity Sheet
Iteration Number | Key Design Aspects | Barrier Distance from buzzer | dB Level |
1 | | | |
2 | | | |
3 | | | |
4 | | | |
5 | | | |
6 | | | |
Control Test | Barrier Distance from Buzzer | dB Level |
No obstructions between microphone and buzzer | N/A | |
ANSWER ME! Fill in the chart with the measurements collected from your designs.
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Step Six: Analyze Your Results
ANSWER ME! Use your observations & data to answer the following questions:
Write your answer here
Did your design effectively reduce noise pollution? (< 85 dB is an effective sound barrier)
Write your answer here
Which testing iteration was most successful and why?
Write your answer here
Compare your results with other students! What did other students do that you could implement into your design?
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Reflect on Your Design and Results
ANSWER ME!
Write your answer here
What do you think went well when completing this activity?
Write your answer here
What is something you would do differently if you were to do this again?
Complete the mandatory 5-minute Exit Ticket by clicking here!
Skills Gained
Skills You Have Gained
THROUGHOUT THIS LAB, YOU HAVE GAINED THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:
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Continue to Explore
IF YOU LIKED TODAY’S BREAKOUT, �YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THESE TOPICS:
TYPES OF ENGINEERING RELEVANT TO TODAY’S BREAKOUT:
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OPTIONAL
Post-Lab Activities
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Extension Activities
EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION
LEARN MORE ABOUT ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING
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Extension Activities: Feedback
ANSWER ME!
Write your answer here
What is echolocation
Write your answer here
Name 1 or more activities that can harm sea-life’s ability to use echolocation.
Upload your file here
Make a sound file by creating, combining, and manipulating sounds.
Thank you!
Any text here?
Follow up info here?