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of academic research. The chapter also hosts an annual stu- dent conference--modeled after the international ASA gatherings--where students are given an opportunity to for- mally present their ongoing research work in acoustics. The chapter also holds a number of social events; an end-of- semester barbeque, tours of on-campus acoustics facilities, and organized trips to local chamber concerts are a few recent examples.
Outreach Program
In addition to hosting events for chapter members and the greater Georgia Tech community, the GT-ASA group also aims to foster interest in science and acoustics in today’s youth. The chapter’s outreach program collaborates with K-12 programs throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, such as After School All Stars (ASAS) and Kids Interested in Technology, Engineering, and Science (KITES), by engaging young students in hands-on activities that demonstrate various acoustical phenomena. Chapter volunteers bring a growing suite of acoustic demos with them to share, with a focus on interactivity and excitement. Examples of demos include using extra-long slinky to demonstrate longitudinal and transverse waves, showing how a tuning fork produces sound through vibrations, and demonstrating how sand poured on a vibrating plate can be used to visualize its mode shapes. Students are also taught about sound levels and how hearing protection can prevent permanent hearing loss.
The GT-ASA outreach program is continuing to expand to reach a wider audience. Currently, the outreach program is developing an open and easy-to-use set of acoustics demonstration modules targeted for use by edu- cators, especially those without expertise in acoustics. The GT chapter welcomes any new suggestions and is eager to
24 Acoustics Today, October 2013
Fig. 4. Tuning fork vibration demo at the 2013 KITES fair.
share ideas and lessons-learned with other ASA groups interested in developing their own outreach initiatives.
Various figures illustrating some of these demonstra- tion modules are included with this article.
