Activity #1: Air Pollution
Materials: Index cards, cotton swab , string, tape, marker, smal plastic gags, magnifying glass.
STEP 1: We’ve explored how weather patterns form, how climate shapes ecosystems, and how water acts as a powerful force on our planet. But now it’s time to ask a deeper question—what happens when the systems we depend on become polluted? In this next phase of our journey, we’ll focus on air pollution: how it’s created, how it spreads, and how it affects both the environment and human health. You’ll begin by watching four short videos that explore different aspects of air pollution. As you watch, think about how this connects to what we’ve already learned about the atmosphere and the movement of water. Watch the video below and complete the summaries in your workbook.
STEP 2: Now that you’ve watched several videos about air pollution—what causes it, how it spreads, and how it can be measured—it’s time to design your own experiment. Using petroleum jelly and index cards, you’ll set up simple air quality “traps” in different locations to investigate how much particulate pollution is present in the air around you. You’ll place three cards in three different spots—indoors or outdoors, near roads or plants, vents or windows—and leave them for 1–2 days to collect particles. This is why you watched multiple videos today—your results will take time to appear, and we’ll come back to them later in the week to analyze what you find. Choose one of the questions below (or create your own) to guide your experiment. Then, follow the steps in your workbook to plan and carry it out.
- Does location affect how much air pollution is collected?
- Do indoor and outdoor areas collect different amounts or types of particles?
- Are areas near plants or trees cleaner than areas near roads or buildings?
Watch the video below for detailed instructions on setting up the basics of your experiment: