This interactive map allows students to explore current levels of ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM 10) at monitoring stations across the United States.
A forecast map, 24-hr animated loop, and archived data are available to explore as well.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students can enter in an address, zip code, city, or state to search.
The map includes all state boundaries and if you zoom in, the county lines appear.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with a map of the United States.
This is a fairly simple map, but you might want to demonstrate using the different functions.
Differentiation
This map could be a great tool for students to explore in a social studies class or geography lesson when discussing the effects of pollution on various communities.
The map features data from tribal areas and national parks as well, which could be used in civics classes when discussing regulations and laws to protect nature and Indigenous communities.
Other resources to consider on this topic include this global air quality map and this article by the American Lung Association.
Scientist Notes
The resource provides proficiency for students to explore and investigate air quality output in their locality using their region's zip code. This resource is valid and recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.3.9-12 Use geographic data to analyze variations in the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales.
D2.Geo.4.9-12 Analyze relationships and interactions within and between human and physical systems to explain reciprocal influences that occur among them.
