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Whirling Swirling Air Pollution

Provided by: EPA |Published on: April 27, 2021

Lesson Plans

9101112

Synopsis

In this activity, students investigate particulate air pollution from individual activities, evaluate the environmental impact of this pollution, and consider how they can reduce it.
The teacher narrates a made-up story, and students work in pairs to drop food coloring into their cups of water to simulate the pollution.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Health

Authors: EPA

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This activity encourages students to think critically by reviewing the results of their experiment and evaluating the environmental impact of their daily activities.
Students learn about particle pollution in a fun way using food coloring and working in pairs.

Prerequisites

The teacher must prepare the materials and come up with a story to tell or use the guide provided.
The teacher must review the background information and explain it to the students before the activity begins.

Differentiation & Implementation

This resource can be used as a hands-on activity in a lesson on particulate air pollution.
Students can create a video or poster to raise people's awareness of their contributions to air pollution.
If the teacher has a large enough container available, he/she can ask students to pour their water into it and then ask them to comment on the combined effect of each individual's pollution.
Teachers can expand on this activity by discussing the connections between poor air quality and negative health outcomes such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer.
Other resources related to this topic include Mapping Air Pollution in Oakland, CA and Youth Climate Story: Climate Justice and Air Pollution in Illinois.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.