Key points
- The Teacher Researcher in Partnership Program (TRiPP) concluded in 2019. The program offered teachers hands-on experience in emerging and innovative science by undertaking a short research project alongside a CSIRO researcher.
Teacher Jacqui Watson was keen to experience the laboratory environment and a scientist's role. After years of being in the classroom she felt distant from the world of research. Being able to bring her experience back into the classroom by developing a unit of work based on current research was appealing.
The project: Improving room acoustic performance
Jacqui was placed on a small research project investigating acoustic panels working with CSIRO's Manufacturing team. Jacqui's hands-on experience involved the testing of acoustic panels and understanding the methods used for sound attenuation. Jacqui's experience allowed her to learn about new materials, the acoustic properties of various materials and the testing process they go through.
The impact
Through the experience Jacqui gained many stories to share with her students about what working in research is like, what a lab looks like, some current science, and how research is used to help people or develop new products.
The experience enabled Jacqui to develop a unit of work based on the research, that guided students in an investigation of sound and sound attenuation. Students conclude their sound investigation with an open inquiry, designing their own research methods. The goal of the student’s investigation is to design a quieter classroom, applying their new knowledge of sound to a real-life problem.
Jacqui's students then prepared a report for their school principal suggesting ways to improve classroom acoustics.