Students Investigate Noise Around Schools

Psychologist Kirsten van den Bosch has known for a long time: sound is much more than just background noise. Now she has the opportunity to demonstrate this on a large scale. Her research proposal has been selected for the national citizen science program Alle Scholen Verzamelen! (“All Schools Collect!”). Together with Jonas Lembrechts from Utrecht University, she is launching a study into the sound quality around Dutch primary schools.


Van den Bosch, an expert in sound perception (soundscaping), will be working with an unusual group of researchers: students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Armed with an app on their phones, they will not only measure the volume in decibels but also record their personal experiences. “It’s not just about how loud it is, but also about what you hear and how you experience it,” Van den Bosch explains.

Health and Sound Quality


The central question: what is the current state of the sound environment around Dutch primary schools? According to the World Health Organization, environmental noise is the second largest environmental health risk after air pollution. Yet the topic receives little public attention. “Everyone understands that poor air quality is unhealthy. But the fact that noise can lead to stress, sleep disturbances, and even cardiovascular disease is much less widely known,” says Van den Bosch.

From Classroom to Policy


During the project, students will learn to think like real researchers. Van den Bosch hopes their findings will reach beyond the classroom. The results will be shared with the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), which currently relies mostly on theoretical models. Ultimately, the findings could help inform political discussions on healthy learning environments.

A Record Number of Sound Measurements


With participation from around 160 schools and 4,000 students, this project will be one of the largest sound measurement initiatives among children in the Netherlands. Van den Bosch: “Every student deserves a learning environment in which they can thrive. Research on this scale can truly contribute to that goal.”

More information