Why Air Pollution Can Be Worse Across the Street
Provided by: Grist|Published on: April 27, 2021
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Health
Authors: Grist
Region: Global, Washington
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video from Grist explains how less-expensive portable air sensors can improve air quality data collection at the neighborhood or street level.
- Students will learn how citizen scientists in Seattle, Washington check out portable air sensors from their local library to monitor the air quality in their neighborhoods and use the data to make decisions that will help the community.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video offers a balanced view of portable air sensors, which are cheaper but not quite as accurate as the stationary air quality monitors.
- The video gives an interesting description of how stationary and portable monitors work.
- Students will see how young people can help their communities by collecting air quality data.
Prerequisites
- Students will need to be familiar with terms such as air pollution and small particle count.
- The video mentions that portable air sensors are not as accurate as the traditional monitors, but it does not provide specific information on the difference in accuracy.
Differentiation & Implementation
- If a monitor is available to borrow, science classes or environmental clubs can collect air quality data from different parts of the school campus and then present their findings to the administration. The EPA website provides information on air sensor loan programs in the United States.
- Engineering and design classes can compare and contrast the two air sensor designs and try to determine why the traditional model is more accurate.
- Science classes can integrate this video into lessons about diffusion, matter, atoms, or gravity.
- The video explains how air quality can change from block to block, but it does not discuss solutions to air quality problems. Students could use this resource to learn how strategic tree planting can improve air quality.
- Other resources on this topic include the World Air Quality Index Project's real-time air quality index map and this guide on air quality and health from the EPA.
This 4-minute video presents how communities are using low-cost portable air sensors that can monitor and measure air quality at the local scale. This is a short, clear resource with sources provided in the video description. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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