This interactive map provides information on the air quality, concentration of specific pollutants, and weather data throughout Oregon.
Students will be able to explore the map, open up graphs of data over time, see a dashboard of weather conditions, and learn more about the health effects of air pollution.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This map provides a legend for understanding the different levels of air quality represented.
There are options available to make the map more accessible to those with mental and/or physical impairments.
Additional Prerequisites
If all dots disappear on the map students should refresh the page.
Refresh the page if the accessibility wheelchair on the top right-hand corner is missing.
Differentiation
This interactive map could provide data for a research project that attempts to forecast climate change and its potential human impacts.
This map could supplement a lesson that examines what an air quality index (AQI) is, what pollutants encompass the AQI, and why those pollutants are worth monitoring.
This map could supplement a lesson that examines the negative health impacts of air pollutants.
Students who are physically and/or mentally impaired should be shown what accessibility options are available and how those options can be accessed.
Science or geography students could use this map to explore changes in levels of pollutants or different locations of certain pollutants to research why certain areas are more polluted than others.
Math and science students can download the data into MS Excel and use it to create their own graphs and data analysis.
Scientist Notes
This website from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality provides and interactive map with air quality monitoring data. The interactive map contains different layers that can be turned on or off that display a variety of air quality data including ozone, particulate matter, and pollutants. There is also an option to create custom graphs. This tool would be a great addition to a classroom discussing data management, data forecasting, graphs, and data analysis or interpretation.
Standards
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
National Health Education Standards
Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
1.12.3 Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.
Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.
3.12.2 Use resources from home, school, and community that provide valid health information.
