This is an activity-based lesson plan through which students get to collect and observe air pollution samples to explore how pollution affects our daily lives.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The lesson is quite easy to implement.
It's a hands-on lesson that will engage students.
Additional Prerequisites
This activity is designed for two class periods one week apart.
Teachers will need the materials listed in the lesson plan, some of which are more unusual, like wire coat hangers, knee-high hose, and petroleum jelly.
Differentiation
Teachers should consider carrying out this activity in groups to foster teamwork and conserve materials.
As an offshoot of this activity, students can be challenged to make graphic art or posters to create more awareness about the harmful effect of air pollution.
Teachers could expand on this lesson by having students research air pollution and its health effects in their region.
Scientist Notes
The resource contains activities for students to practice and gain insights on air quality, pollution, and pollution's implications on human health. Students can engage deeply and learn ways to improve air quality in their environment. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
5-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 3: Developing Claims and Using Evidence
D3.4.3-5 Use evidence to develop claims in response to compelling questions.
