2017 course dates for "The Science of Noise"
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Course: |
The Science of Noise |
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Age Range of Children: |
10 - 13 years |
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Number of Students: |
36 |
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Location: |
Donington Park |
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Personnel Required: |
1 Motorsport Expert, one supervisor per 6 students |
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Students to Bring: |
Packed
Lunch and Drinks |
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Costs: |
The cost per student is £45, places can be booked direct with FPCI, just email: info@fpconsultants.com with your requirements. |
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Course Dates: |
The next course dates are:
However courses can and be run at a wide range of circuits so please get in touch if you would like a course running at a circuit near you. |
Brief Outline of the Course:
The Science of Noise event has been designed to introduce students to the science of noise and what noise means to different people in different contexts. Students will use the facilities at a number of motorsport venues throughout the region where the subject is brought vividly to life and the consequences of inappropriate noise are severe.
Students arrive to a lecture on noise. Within this academic element of the course students will learn about how noise is created, transmitted and measured. The Doppler effect will be explained in detail. Following a comfort break the students will have the opportunity to use noise meters and take noise measurements in a practical session. Once the students are familiar with the operation of the meters they will experiment with materials within the immediate environment to ascertain the effect of distance and different materials on noise levels. Utilising activity on the track the Doppler effect will be demonstrated.
The first session in the afternoon will be theoretical, practical and bring in elements of sociology. Students will participate in a series of experiments and investigations, including measuring the noise generated by vehicles passing at speed on the track and idling in the paddock, to build on the knowledge gained earlier in the day to further deepen their understanding of the effect of distance, wind and natural sound barriers. Through interviews with circuit staff and riders/drivers, students will learn how different user groups view noise and how their activities are influenced by it. The issue of noise and its impact on the local community will be explored in depth.
In the final creative design session students will have the opportunity to intellectually problem solve the silencer of the future, drawing on their experiences across the day plus the needs of the local community, the circuit and the racers that they identified earlier.
Utilising materials provided by a leading silencer company and a checklist of what must be included in the design (noise level, where located on the vehicle, means of fitment, materials used, size, weight, profile etc) the students will be asked to create the optimum silence. To assist students and avoid them focusing too much on the artistic element of their designs, line drawings of both cars and motorcycles will be provided and students will be asked to provide three statements indicating why their design is appealing to; drivers/riders, the motorsport venue and the general public.
At the conclusion of the course students are asked to make a presentation about their chosen design, framing this in the terms of reference they have learned.
"The imaginations of all involved (including the adult supervisors!) were captured and I was informed by schools afterwards that many of the children used knowledge acquired during the day in subsequent science lessons. Parents could not believe how much their children had learnt and the applause was genuine as the youngsters presented their 'silencers of the future' to the group at the end of the day. Much was learnt, minds were stretched and new friends were made." Michelle Chapman," Teaching & Learning Consultant (G & T), Rutland County Council
Cost per pupil is £45. Parents can request that the school's Pupil Premium monies allocated for their child can be used for this purpose.
Educational Validity:
measuring the race car noise emmissions at Donington Park
This course juxtaposes Science with Sociology and practical application.
It encourages students to become socially aware of the effect of noise and it's impact on different elements of the wider community. Students learn to observe the world around them from a different perspective and how observation and measurement can assist the creative process and produce informed opinion.
For schools the course promotes learning and via the acquisition of knowledge raises achievement levels. In Ofsted terms it specifically develops each student through:
Getting blown away measuring the motorcycle noise emmissions at Donington Park
- sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
- use of imagination and creativity in their learning
- willingness to reflect on their experiences
- use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
For students the course helps change their attitude by placing learning in a real life environment where the consequences of getting things run can be disastrous for the circuit and the people that use it or live near it. The course raises the student's aspirations and as result there is a real change in their demeanour which can be measured by progress in the curriculum.