Community & Culture

DFW is committed to supporting a society in which all can participate and prosper. To achieve this, DFW must create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. We have a proud history of promoting advancement in the community and must continually build on this record to ensure the airport's prosperity can be shared by workers of all backgrounds and businesses of all sizes.

From Vision to Action

DFW Airport manages complex environmental noise challenges caused by aircraft operations. The airport uses sound-mitigation strategies—such as noise-dampening materials, building insulation programs, and flight-path planning—to reduce community noise impacts. This kit mirrors how engineers study materials to protect neighborhoods and improve sound quality around the airport.

Vital to understanding acoustics and environmental noise, the Quiet Quest kit lets students explore how sound moves through different materials and how engineers design spaces to reduce unwanted noise.

Learn about:

• How sound travels in waves and interacts with materials.
• Test materials like fabric, foam, cardboard, and aluminum to see which dampen sound best.
• Record observations and rank each material’s effectiveness at noise reduction.
• Understand basic concepts in acoustics, energy transfer, and environmental noise pollution.

Kit will include:

• A variety of materials (fabric squares, foam, cardboard, aluminum, etc.) for sound-dampening experiments.
• Instructions for building a simple test setup and recording results.
• Teacher guide explaining sound wave behavior, absorption, reflection, and real-world applications.

*This kit will support one class, size 20–30 students, taking 45–60 minutes to complete. Grade level: 5–12. Educators can register for one free kit, which includes a lesson plan. Need more materials? Click “View lesson plan & order materials” below to access the lesson plan PDF and links to purchase the items individually.

Register for your free kit here

OR

Lesson plan and links to materials coming soon