Acoustics strikes a chord with pupils
Take some plywood, foam ‘peanuts’ and cotton wool and what do you have? An interesting assortment of material to conduct noise control experiments according to acoustics ambassador Richard Collman.
While some teachers discourage noise in the classroom, Richard, a member of the Institute Of Acoustics, has been visiting classrooms over the past fifteen years to engage pupils in discovering more about the interesting field of acoustics.
The hands-on lessons see pupils participating in a challenge: they become members of a “band” with three weeks to rehearse a song, to win a slot on MTV.
But, they have been banned from rehearsing at the drummer’s house because of the noise.
Pupils are given a “test rig” to experiment with different types of material, including plywood, to deal with the issues of airborne noise (instruments and vocals) and impact noise (drum kit on floor).
• Heavier materials stop noise “getting through”
• Softer materials stop noise being reflected off walls
• But, noise breaks through gaps very easily
He tells them the simulated rehearsal room has to have a suitable floor to support the weight of the band and instruments and ventilation, for obvious reasons. Pupils compete to create the quietest and cheapest room.
Richard, director of Belair Research Limited, said the sessions are “fun” for the children: “I’m not trying to teach them acoustics, but to make them aware of it as a profession”.
“I think there is a lack of awareness of acoustics as a potential profession, and it is such a wide field.”
Through his work with Setpoint Hertfordshire, an educational charity which inspires young people about science, technology, engineering and maths, Richard has spoken to hundreds of pupils in schools over the past few years.
His tireless work with schools won Richard the IOA’s Award for Promoting Acoustics to the Public in 2008.
