National Park Service Natural & Night Skies Division U.S. Department of the Interior

Soundscape Activity Layering Sounds

Theme: There is a layered world of around you.

General Concept: (Onion Metaphor) Students will imagine that the sounds occurring around them are layered. Students will be able to peel away layers of sound, similar to peeling away layers of an onion. Once one layer is removed, another layer can be revealed. Sometimes human-caused sounds can mask the sounds of , so intentionally peeling away an outer layer of human- made sounds may allow students to hear other sounds that were hidden (or “masked”), resulting in a better awareness of the acoustical world that surrounds them. Logistics: Bull Elk. Image by Donald Metzner Find a place outdoors where the students The Natural Sounds & Night Skies will be able to hear both natural and Division differentiates between the terms human-made sounds. Step A) 30 Second Listening Exercise sound and . Although noise is (All Sounds) sometimes incorrectly used as a synonym Materials Needed: Taking their journals, students spread out for sound, it is in fact sound that is not wanted, or extraneous to an environment. Student Journals and find a comfortable spot to sit where See https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/ they can still hear instructions. Minimize understandingsound.htm for more Learning Objectives: sounds (clothing, phones, iPods, etc.) information. 1. Students will tune in to both the Students close eyes and simply listen to natural and human-made sound all the sounds around for 30 seconds. Step B) 30 Second Listening “layers” around them, and will be After 30 seconds, instruct students to Exercise (Natural Sounds) able to tell the difference between open eyes and make a list of all the the two. sounds they heard. Repeat activity, “peeling away” 2. Students will express the role of human-made sounds, listening just for sound in their everyday . Suggested Discussion Questions: natural sounds. Introduce concept of 3. Students will consider why it may be • What did you hear? onion, imagining you can peel away important to have an awareness of • Of those sounds, which ones were layers of sound, similar to peeling the sounds around them. human-made? away layers of an onion. Once one 4. Students will learn how the NPS • Which sounds were natural? layer is removed, another layer can be Natural Sounds & Night Skies • What sounds did you like/ not like? revealed. Give start/ top cues and Division manages and protects park • Do you think there’s a difference instruct students to make a list of soundscapes. between sound and noise?* sounds heard in their journals.

This activity was taken from the Soundscape Curriculum developed for Global Explorers. Suggested Discussion Questions: *Introduce the National Park Service dual mission: • What did you hear this time? National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior • Did you hear anything new? • Protect natural and cultural • Were you able to peel away the layer resources and provide enjoyment to of human-caused sounds? How park visitors, i.e., balance protecting difficult was it? resources while making sure that The Natural Sounds & Night Skies Division visitors are having good experiences. works to protect, maintain, or restore Step C) 30 Second Listening Exercise • Given this balance, what challenges acoustical environments throughout the (Human-made Sounds) National Park System. We fulfill this mission do you think park planners by working in partnership with parks and Repeat activity peeling away the natural encounter? (e.g., There is a need to others to increase scientific and public layer of sound and focus only on human- minimize human-made sounds to understanding of the value and character of caused sound. Give start/ stop cues and soundscapes and to eliminate or minimize protect natural resources, but in noise intrusions. instruct students to make list of sounds order to provide quality, visitor heard in their journals. experiences, some human-made Natural Sounds & Night Skies Division sounds may need to be allowed, Natural Resources Stewardship & Science Suggested Discussion Questions: 1201 Oakridge Drive, Ste. 100 such as talking, driving cars, etc.) Fort Collins, CO 80525 • Was this easier or harder? • With the help of the Natural Sounds & Night Skies Division, park Phone • What did you hear? 970-267-7204 • Did anything surprise you? managers decide what sounds are appropriate or inappropriate for a E-mail [email protected] Final Discussion particular park. • In order to assist park managers 1. How did this activity affect you? Websites (heightened awareness? surprise? achieve their mission, researchers https://www.nps.gov/nsnsd boredom? etc.) with the Natural Sounds & Night https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound How did your perception of your Skies Division peel apart the layers 2. The National Park Service cares for the special environment change when you of natural, cultural, and human- peeled away the human-made layer places saved by the American people so that made sounds through analysis. This all may experience our heritage. vs. the natural layer? allows them to focus on each layer of 3. What sounds were pleasing / sound and provide better guidance annoying? Why? to park managers on the best 4. What sounds did you think were strategies for protecting the acoustic inappropriate for this location? and soundscape environment, and Why? addressing issues. 5. What sounds did you think were appropriate for this location? Why? 6. If you were a Natural Sounds Program researcher helping the park manager, what sources of noise might you suggest he or she try to manage?* (Managing might include limiting, eliminating, or determining where and when it is appropriate)