Extreme Sounds

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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Extreme Sounds) is a full inquiry investigation into sound. Groups of learners will use a decibel meter or a simple set of benchmark sounds to record and quantify sound levels of varying loudness at ten locations in their city. The average sound level for each location is calculated and then listed in increasing order on a graph. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV: Extreme Sounds.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
2 to 4 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Field Trip
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • decibel meter (or use three audio "benchmarks")
  • notebook and pencil

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Hearing
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
    • Number and Operations
      • Multiples and Factors
    • Representation
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Sound
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Outdoor Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • hear
  • be mobile

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Girls

    • Explicity developed for this group
    • Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
    • Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2005

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 436260