'Clean Air Express' is an air quality resource manual for K-12 teachers. When we reviewed several environmental programs in the Puget Sound area, we found that there was very little information available to teachers about local air quality issues.
'Clean Air Express' provides teachers with historical information, quick facts, anecdotal notes and activities focused on the causes of air pollution problems in our region. Some of these problems include emissions from motor vehicles, industry, outdoor burning and wood stoves and fireplaces. But more importantly, 'Clean Air Express' gives teachers a foundation to begin incorporating air quality issues into the classroom.
'Clean Air Express' is designed to be integrated as a natural part of teaching social studies, health, math, science and environmental studies. This curriculum is unique because it allows you as a teacher to take just those content areas, activities, and quick facts that fit your lesson plans. More than anything 'Clean Air Express' makes learning about air quality fun!
Each section is tabbed to identify the major topics. In each section you will find:
Supplementary sections include:
A whole section of the 'Clean Air Express' air quality resource manual is devoted to classroom activities for kids of all different ages. The activities take advantage of storytelling, library materials, and hands-on experiments. Activities are adapted for each grade level.
Kids ages K-5 can learn about relationships between air and plants, animals and humans in a storytelling activity. They also can learn how their lungs work and the importance of breathing clean air. In another activity, these young kids can understand how vehicle exhaust affects their health and environment.
Middle school aged kids (grades 6-8) are instructed about air quality data collection and weather by collecting data for a few weeks. Using simple tools, they can also see with their own eyes what kinds of materials are released into the air after burning and guess what these residues might do to their health and environment.
For high school kids, we have designed challenging exercises.
Students are given air quality monitoring data that they
can manipulate and analyze for effects on air quality.
The 'Clean Air Express' curriculum is organized in five main chapters. The curriculum offers air quality from a variety of perspectives that easily can be incorporated into different classroom lessons for grades K-12.
Air Aware
Students will understand what air is and why it's important to
keep it clean. Students will identify where air pollution
comes from and understand how to reduce air pollution through
everyday activities. They will also learn how the weather
affects the quality of our air. The lessons in this section are
useful in environmental studies, health, science and social
studies classes.
State of the Air
Students will understand the current state of air quality in
the Puget Sound region, how we got to where we are today, and
what future challenges exist. Students will identify
methods for protecting and preserving air quality and understand
the various laws and regulations available to enforce air quality
standards
The Breath of Life
Students will be able to identify major air pollutants and understand the health impacts associated with those pollutants. They will also understand how to minimize or eliminate health risks from air pollution. The lessons in this section are useful in environmental studies, health and science classes.
Air and Transportation
Students will understand how the car has played a role in
altering our lifestyle by improving mobility, but also the impact
motor vehicles have on our air quality and our health. They
will be able to recognize the trade-offs involved if we are to
preserve and protect our quality of life in the Pacific
Northwest. The lessons in this section are useful in
environmental studies, health, math, science and social studies
classes.
Air and Wood Smoke
Students will understand the health effects associated with
burning wood indoors and burning yard waste outside, identify
alternatives to to indoor and outdoor burning and how to reduce
pollution from wood burning. Students will understand the
role weather plays in air quality; how topography and weather
interact and how stagnant air is formed. The lessons in
this section are useful in environmental studies, health, science
and social studies classes.
We are conducting a number of training sessions for teachers this year. Please contact Susan Alotrico at (206) 689-4040 to find out about the next Clean Air Express teacher workshop. We offer free substitute reimbursement and clock hours for teachers who attend our workshops. In addtition, workshop participants receive complimentary videos and a Clean Air Express science materials kit.
If you are interested in receiving a complimentary copy of 'Clean Air Express' or attending a training workshop, please contact Susan Alotrico, Public Educator at (206) 689-4040.
Updated July 1998
