Students will select a variety of areas to study air pollution around their school (playground, busy street, hallway, cafeteria, etc). "Collectors" will be set up in the different areas for several days to gather whatever is contained in the air. Students will examine the different particles "stuck" to the "collectors", and notice the difference between pollution and plant matter. Finally, students will decide from which area they would want to breathe the most air!

Teacher Goals

• Students will become aware of air pollution levels in various areas around their school and home.

• Students will conclude what makes the difference in air pollution levels in the different areas.

• Students will conclude which areas have the safest air for breathing.

Required Resources

• Materials
  
  Clear contact paper
  Thumb tacks
  Thick cardboard
  Wax paper
  Vaseline
  Magnifying glasses or hand microscopes

• Resource

  • Air Pollution Collection Data

Steps

1. Discuss locations

   Discuss 4 or 5 locations which you think will have different levels of pollution.

2. Prepare the collectors

   Each pair of children can prepare one of the two types of collectors.  Instructions are included under teacher notes.

3. Placement

   Place the collectors in various spots.  Be sure that at least one of each type of collector is in each spot.  They will remain there for about 3 days.

4. Mapping

   Draw a class size map, indicating the spots where the collectors are placed.

5. Removal

   After three days, remove the collectors from their spots - BE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH COLLECTOR CAME FROM EACH PLACE!!!

6. Observation

   Observe the collectors using magnifying glasses or hand held microscopes. Observations may be noted on Data Collection Sheet. Pictures can be drawn if the teacher chooses to do so.

7. Conclusions

   Students can draw their own conclusions about which air they would want to breathe the most.  Conclusions may be written on data sheet.  Comments may be written on the class map.

8. Answer the questions

   1. What place did you think would have the most "dirty" pollution?
   2. What are some things you can do to cut down on dirty pollution in that area?
   3. Is the plant matter you found on your collectors okay for everyone to breathe? Why?

Teacher Notes

• Preparing Collector #1
  Get clear contact paper and cut it into 10 cm squares. Carefully peel off the backing and thumb tack each square to a thick piece of cardboard (or a small piece of wood), being sure to keep the sticky side out. It is probably best to put a tack in each corner.

• Preparing Collector #2:
  Cut wax paper into 10 cm squares. Thumb tack it to heavy cardboard or wood. Rub a small amount of Vaseline over the surface, using just enough to make it sticky. The paper should look fairly clear when you are through.

• Duration: Set-up requires one hour.  Collectors stay in place for 3 days.  Collection and observation will require one hour.

Learner Notes

• This activity should open your eyes to what is in the air you breathe. If you are affected by allergies, the pollen and plant matter may have as much or more effect on you than the "dirty" pollution. Following this activity, it would be a great opportunity to talk with your parents, friends, and siblings about the options we have for making our environment a cleaner, safer place.

Mentor Notes

• This activity will open students' eyes to what is in the air they breathe. Some may be surprised by what is there. For those affected by allergies, the pollen and plant matter will probably have as much or even more effect on them than the "dirty" pollution. Following this activity, it would be a great opportunity to discuss with your child the options we have for making our environment a cleaner, safer place.