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Preparing for the International Year of Sound 2020
The International Commission for Acoustics (ICA) declared 2020 the Interna- tional Year of Sound (IYS 2020). The primary goal of the IYS 2020 is to stimulate the understanding and awareness of the important role that sound plays in all aspects of society. Some of the ICA central activities include an official opening ceremony, an international student competition, and production of a video on the importance of sound. To see the growing list of ICA activities and other member activities, visit sound2020.org.
Email:
kjones@acousticalsociety.org
Sound Perspectives
L. Keeta Jones
Address:
Acoustical Society of America 1305 Walt Whitman Road Suite 300 Melville, New York 11747-4300 USA
As the premier acoustical organization, the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is honored and excited to support the IYS 2020 global initiative. The ASA will work to organize events in the United States, both at and outside Society meet- ings. Thanks to the commitment of the ASA to acoustics education and outreach, the Society is able to support the IYS 2020 goal with some preexisting programs. We already know that everyone can look forward to celebrating IYS 2020 with the following programs:
• International Noise Awareness Day activities in April. In the past, the ASA has hosted soundwalks, citizen science data collection, and a livestreamed noise discussion with experts.
• The USA Science and Engineering Festival in April. The ASA hosts a booth at the largest free STEM Festival in the United States to introduce guests to the science of sound with fun and engaging demos.
• The Wikipedia Editing Workshop in May. Attendees can learn how to edit and improve Wikipedia articles to enhance education and increase access to accurate information.
• Short acoustics-themed videos. With the help of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the ASA will produce and release several visually engaging videos to be shared with anyone throughout the year.
• Hands-on acoustics demonstration sessions in May and November. The ASA will share entertaining and educational acoustics activities that encourage people to learn more about the field.
In addition to these well-established programs, the ad hoc IYS 2020 committee is discussing even more activities. For example, I will be collaborating with the director of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ), Brad Conrad, to develop acoustics-themed SPS Science Outreach Catalyst Kits for ASA and SPS chapters. There is also discussion of an educator workshop with the American Asso- ciation of Physics Teachers (AAPT), similar to ones done in the past.
68 | Acoustics Today | Winter 2019 | volume 15, issue 4 ©2019 Acoustical Society of America. All rights reserved. https://doi.org/10.1121/AT.2019.15.4.68