Outreach Program Overview

Discover just how important it can be to "Turn it down!" With the help of some scientific tools, your students will measure sound, learn about decibels, and make models of their own ear. You’ll be amazed as you watch them explore sound, the way it travels, and how they can protect their hearing for years to come! A great multi-science class developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in cooperation with Oregon Health & Science University.

	How to Bring the Dangerous Decibels Outreach Program to Your Classroom! For more information, please visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's online Outreach Catalog, or call 503.797.4649 or 888.674.6674 to register.

The educational outreach programs have been designed to directly link to the Dangerous Decibels museum exhibit, which opened on June 1, 2002 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland. Curriculum is intended to reach diverse populations accounting for cultural and geographical differences.

The Outreach Program to Date

Initially the programs were delivered to 14 fourth grade teachers and their classes in Oregon and SW Washington. Pre and Post questionnaires were administered to both teachers and students. Additionally, three small focus groups of students and teachers were conducted by an external evaluation team. Feedback resulting from this effort contributed to the expansion of the program to 1st, 4th, & 7th grades. Classroom programs and teacher training were then piloted with great success for all these grades in Douglas County during the Spring of 2002. A slightly revised program went into six Oregon and SW Washington counties during the 2002-03 school year. The programs were evaluated for effectiveness at improving knowledge and effecting changes in attitudes and behaviors of young people related to noise-induced hearing loss. Now, the program is available to teachers throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, through the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's Outreach Program.

Dangerous Decibels DVD

The Dangerous Decibels DVD is a multilayered introduction to how we hear (simple or more complex versions), what decibels are, types of hearing loss, how to protect ears, tinnitus (short or fuller version with testimonial), and more.

It includes demonstrations of classroom activities that can be done, and is fun and appropriate for children in a classroom. Comes with a fold-out poster (7"x24") that shows decibels levels and exposure time limits for everyday sounds and how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

To order a copy of the Dangerous Decibels DVD, please download our order form.

Dangerous Decibels Teacher Resource Guide

Download our free Dangerous Decibels Teacher's Resource Guide! A K-8 curriculum supplement with hands-on science activities about the anatomy and physiology of hearing, the physics of sound, and health-related behaviors for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Unfortunately, we are not offering printed copies of the Teacher's Resource Guide at this time, but it is still available for free download below:

Download Entire Guide (Adobe Acrobat .pdf document: ~1.6MB)

Dangerous Decibels Educator Kit

The Dangerous Decibels Educator Kit is meant as a supplement to the Educator Training Workshop (see below). The Kit is not meant to train you how to present the Dangerous Decibels classroom program but provides many of the supplies you might need to develop your own program on prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Dangerous Decibels Virtual Exhibit CD

Dangerous Decibels' Virtual Exhibit is now available for purchase as a stand-alone CD. It is currently available in English Only. If you'd like to purchase a copy, please click here

Jolene and the Jolene Cookbook

Jolene is a system for measuring the sound levels of personal stereo systems. She is part of the Dangerous Decibels education and research projects. Jolene was constructed using a used fashion mannequin and a sound level meter wired to a silicon ear. Jolene makes appearances at schools and universities, scientific meetings, health fairs, and many other public events. She always attracts a crowd and is helpful for promoting noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention. Jolene has also been used as a research tool to study the beliefs and listening practices regarding personal stereo systems.

Click for more info...

Dangerous Decibels Educator Training Workshop

The Dangerous Decibels educator training workshops are designed to prepare and equip individuals to present a K-12 classroom program that is effective at changing knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors in students regarding their hearing health.

The two-day workshop (16 hours) will be lead by Oregon Health & Science University, Portland State University, and University of Northern Colorado hearing conservation, health communication, educational outreach experts. The workshop will include background information on hearing, anatomy, physics of sound, what are sources and effects of dangerous sounds, and how to protect hearing. Also included is instruction in classroom management, Dangerous Decibels hands-on activities, and an opportunity to deliver the program to workshop instructors for critique and feedback. Workshop instructors are available after the workshop for continued support and as a resource through email or phone. Those who complete the training will receive documentation that they are certified Dangerous Decibels Educators.

If you would like to participate in a workshop, contact our office - 503-494-0670 or email howarth@ohsu.edu.

There will be an Educator Training workshop on August 21 & 22, 2009 in Portland Oregon. For the flyer and registration for the workshop - click here.