An interactive signal processing educational software module for outreach program

This work presents a freely downloadable software module designed for the outreach program conducted at Clarkson University. The purpose of the module is to introduce students in grades 5-8 to the field of signal processing. The primary goal of this program is to generate interest in the signal processing field. The second purpose of the outreach program is to have undergraduates design, program, and utilize the developed program in workshops with elementary and junior high students students. There are three main components of the software: use of a spectrogram, application of several filters, and modification of the pitch and time- scale of the sample. In any of the components, the user can record a five second sample from a microphone attached to the computer. The user can then use the selected component to modify the signal, and listen to how the sound changed through an attached speaker. Each component has a short introduction and instructions on its use. The program can be set up in the classroom at a workstation where students can interact with it.