The Color of Air Pollution! Activity Written by Erin Mcduffie, Based on the ‘Whirling Swirling Air Pollution’ Activity from the US EPA
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The Color of Air Pollution! Activity Written by Erin McDuffie, based on the ‘Whirling Swirling Air Pollution’ activity from the US EPA Goal: Learn about sources of air pollution and visualize your individual contributions as a result of your everyday activities! Colors – Air Pollution Sources (Species) Blue – Car, Truck, and Boat Pollution (~NOx) Red – Energy Production (~SO2, NOx) Yellow – Agriculture (~NH3) Green – household pollution – lawn care, wood stove, personal care products, cooking, smoking (~VOCs) Materials - Food coloring - Water - Clear water containers (cups or bottles) Instructions 1. Each student gets their own container (8-12 oz) of clear water (adjust water volume/number of recommended food coloring drops as necessary) 2. Lead a short discussion about the atmosphere, our interactions with it, what it’s made of, and common source of air pollution. 3. Run through the activity below. 4. Have students compare bottles – Start a discussion. What activities added the most color? Were there any surprising sources of pollution? 5. Split into pairs and have them brainstorm ways they can personally help to reduce air pollution. 6. Optional - Combine all water into one large tank – talk about how our individual contributions not only impact our own air, but everyone else’s air as well The Color of Air Pollution! Take a deep breath -- you just inhaled over 1 billion trillion (1021) molecules of air! While the air around us is mostly (>99%) made up of molecules of nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and water vapor (H2O), our daily activities emit other compounds that cause air pollution. Air pollution is bad for our health. Common sources are cars, buses, boats, power plants, agriculture and food production, power lawn mowers, and wood stoves. Good news is that we can each do our part to reduce air pollution! How clean is your air? Follow this activity to find out and discover ways you can reduce air pollution for everyone! Rise and Shine! It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and you’re ready to conquer the world! 1. You’re getting ready for the day, if you… a. Take a shower – add ONE drop of RED b. Put on perfume or deodorant – add ONE drop of GREEN c. Have breakfast (the most important meal of the day!)– add ONE drop of YELLOW 2. You’re off to school, if … a. Your parents drive you – add TWO drops of BLUE b. You carpool with friends or take the bus – add ONE drop of BLUE c. You walk or bike – add NO drops 3. At school… your school building needs heat and electricity - add ONE drop of RED 4. At lunch, if you… a. Play outside for recess – no drops! 5. After school, if… a. Your parents drive you to practice (sports, music, drama, etc.) – add TWO drops of BLUE b. You watch TV or play video games – add ONE drop of RED c. You play outside – no drops! 6. If your dinner … a. Is Vegetarian – add ONE drop of YELLOW b. Includes red meat – add TWO drops of YELLOW c. Includes poultry or seafood – add ONE drop of YELLOW Extra Sources. If … 1. You have a phone – add ONE drop of RED 2. Your home has a lawn AND your parents mow – add ONE drop of GREEN 3. Your home has a wood stove – add ONE drop of RED 4. You are going on a vacation this summer by cruise or plane – add TWO drops of BLUE How clean is your air? What can you do to reduce air pollution? use stove wood reduce waste, food reduce recycle, , energy reduce to lights off turn local, buy solar panels, eat less meat, meat, less eat panels, solar e us bike, your e rid mower, push a use less, fly carpool, school, to us b idle, don’t and less Drive.