Overview

In this lesson sequence, students will be exploring ways to reduce unwanted sound by designing and conducting a scientific investigation to find the best materials for reducing the transmission of sound.  

During these lessons students will explore different methods that are used in sound dampening and test different materials for reducing the transmission of sound. Students will develop an understanding of fair testing and use digital technologies, including a sound intensity sensor, to measure and record their experimental results. 

Students are learning to:  

• understand sound energy and how sound can be dampened  

• design, conduct and analyse scientific investigations that include fair testing. 

Success criteria 

• I can successfully follow a scientific procedure to investigate sound, including measuring distance and sound intensity.  

• I can design a scientific investigation using fair testing, identifying independent, dependent and controlled variables. 

Outcomes:  

• SC4-4WS  identifies questions and problems that can be tested or researched and makes predictions based on scientific knowledge  

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems 

• SC4-6WS  follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually  

• SC4-7WS  processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions 

• SC4-11PW  discusses how scientific understanding and technological developments have contributed to finding solutions to problems involving energy transfers and transformations 

Students will investigate some properties of sound and features of fair testing. They will use digital technologies, including a sound intensity sensor in the Arduino Science Journal app or the Phyphox: physical phone experiments app, to explore variations in sound intensity.  

• Activity 1 - Unwanted sound - sound proofing, dampening and absorbing  

• Activity 2 - Understanding fair testing - practical simulation   

• Activity 3 - Measuring sound intensity - practical activity 

Students will complete a guided investigation measuring the effect of distance from the sound source on sound intensity. They will then design a scientific investigation, using fair testing, to compare the ability of different materials to reduce the transmission of sound. Students will develop an understanding of text structures and features of a scientific informative text. 

• Activity 1 - Putting sound to the test - practical activity 

• Activity 2 - Block that noise!  - practical activity 

• Activity 3 - Science News  - literacy activity 

Students will conduct their planned investigation to find out what materials are best at reducing the transmission of sound. They will use digital technologies, including a sound intensity sensor in the Arduino Science Journal app or the Phyphox: physical phone experiments app, to measure, record and analyse their experimental results. Students may then explore an application of sound absorbing materials in an anechoic chamber. 

• Activity 1 - Conduct your investigation - practical activity  

• Activity 2 - An anechoic chamber  - (optional)

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