Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Subject
Mathematics, Physical Science, Waves, Flight and Aeronautics, Sound
Type
Educator Guides, Hands-on Activities
Noise: Chevron Design Educator Guide
One of NASA’s goals is to explore technology to reduce engine noise. To simulate the work of NASA acoustic engineers, student teams will design an “engine chevron” in an attempt to alter and dampen the noise coming from a Thunder Drum, which simulates an aircraft jet engine. Teams of 2-4 students will use the Engineering Design Process to help them develop, test, and re-design the chevron.
Students will use the engineering design process to design sound-altering technology and qualitatively and/or quantitatively observe results.
Materials Needed:
- Thunder Drum (small or large drums work for this actively)—several per class
- Various building materials, such as paper, card stock, aluminum foil for chevron construction
- Reference materials for this lesson, including:
- Careers handout
- Sound vs. distance handout
- Sound levels handout
- Student Engineering Log Worksheets
- Measuring devices:
- Oscilloscope to measure change in sound (real or app version)*
- Decibel meter (real or app version)
*While not necessary for the lesson, the use of an oscilloscope and/or sound decibel meter vastly improves the quantitative aspects of the lesson. If you don’t have access to physical oscilloscopes or sound decibel meters, there are also free or inexpensive app versions available for electronic devices such as tablets or smartphones.