Invisible invaders: Understanding and measuring air pollution
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Resources required for lesson
Syllabus content
New NSW Syllabus:
Science and Technology
- ST3-1WS-S: Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer questions, including fair testing.
- ST3-2DP-T: Plans and uses materials, tools, and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity.
- ST3-4LW-S: Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things.
- ST3-1WS-S: Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer questions, including fair testing.
- ST3-2DP-T: Plans and uses materials, tools, and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity.
- ST3-4LW-S: Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things.
Geography
- GE3-3: Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments.
- GE3-3: Compares and contrasts influences on the management of places and environments.
Mathematics
- MAO-WM-01: Working mathematically: develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly.
- MA3-DATA-01: Constructs graphs using many-to-one scales.
- MAO-WM-01: Working mathematically: develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly.
- MA3-DATA-01: Constructs graphs using many-to-one scales.
PDHPE
- PD3-7: Proposes and implements actions and protective strategies that promote health, safety, wellbeing and physically active spaces.
- PD3-7: Proposes and implements actions and protective strategies that promote health, safety, wellbeing and physically active spaces.
Current NSW Syllabus:
Science and Technology
- ST3-SCI-01: Uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices.
- ST3-DAT-01: Interprets data to support explanations and arguments.
- ST3-SCI-01: Uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices.
- ST3-DAT-01: Interprets data to support explanations and arguments.
HSIE
- HS3-GEO-01: Examines global citizenship and how people organise, protect and sustainably use the environment, using geographical information.
- HS3-GEO-01: Examines global citizenship and how people organise, protect and sustainably use the environment, using geographical information.
PDHPE
- PH3-IHW-01: Examines and explains factors that influence identity, health and wellbeing of individuals and groups.
- PH3-IHW-01: Examines and explains factors that influence identity, health and wellbeing of individuals and groups.
Assessment
Teacher background information
Air pollution monitors
Air pollution monitors with low-cost sensors, such as the AirFanta G2 used in this program, provide an affordable and accessible way to monitor particulate matter. This makes them ideal for educational settings. These types of monitors typically use a small laser or LED light to detect particles, and measure their size (PM2.5 or PM10) and concentration with a photodetector. The devices use a small fan to draw air into the sensor chamber for continuous sampling.
The PM2.5 monitor comes with a user manual. This includes a QR code to download the app, basic setup instructions, and connectivity details.
For more detailed information on the AirFanta G2, including specifications and user guidance, visit their official product page: Air Fanta.
Source / more information
AirFanta. (n.d.). AirFanta G2 air quality monitor: Wireless indoor air quality monitor for office or school.
Air pollution monitors with low-cost sensors, such as the AirFanta G2 used in this program, provide an affordable and accessible way to monitor particulate matter. This makes them ideal for educational settings. These types of monitors typically use a small laser or LED light to detect particles, and measure their size (PM2.5 or PM10) and concentration with a photodetector. The devices use a small fan to draw air into the sensor chamber for continuous sampling.
The PM2.5 monitor comes with a user manual. This includes a QR code to download the app, basic setup instructions, and connectivity details.
For more detailed information on the AirFanta G2, including specifications and user guidance, visit their official product page: Air Fanta.
Source / more information
AirFanta. (n.d.). AirFanta G2 air quality monitor: Wireless indoor air quality monitor for office or school.
Particulate matter and human health
Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. These particles are categorised based on their size. PM10 are particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
These particles come from natural sources, like dust and bushfires, and are also generated by human activities, such as vehicle use, industrial processes and burning fuels. PM2.5 is of particular concern because its small size allows it to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, such as asthma, bronchitis and heart disease.
Long-term exposure to PM can worsen existing health conditions and increase the risk of lung cancer. Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing lungs and higher breathing rates. Understanding PM and its health impacts allows teachers to link air quality monitoring projects to real-world issues, helping students grasp the importance of clean air for public health.
Sources / more information
US Environmental Protection Agency (2023). Particulate matter (PM) pollution.
Australian Government Department of Health. (n.d.). PM2.5 air quality categories and public health advice.
Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. These particles are categorised based on their size. PM10 are particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
These particles come from natural sources, like dust and bushfires, and are also generated by human activities, such as vehicle use, industrial processes and burning fuels. PM2.5 is of particular concern because its small size allows it to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, such as asthma, bronchitis and heart disease.
Long-term exposure to PM can worsen existing health conditions and increase the risk of lung cancer. Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing lungs and higher breathing rates. Understanding PM and its health impacts allows teachers to link air quality monitoring projects to real-world issues, helping students grasp the importance of clean air for public health.
Sources / more information
US Environmental Protection Agency (2023). Particulate matter (PM) pollution.
Australian Government Department of Health. (n.d.). PM2.5 air quality categories and public health advice.
Lesson content
Slide presentation part 1: Introduction
Worksheet: Local sources of PM2.5 pollution
Use this worksheet to sort sources of PM2.5 pollution according to how likely they are to affect your local environment.
Use this worksheet to sort sources of PM2.5 pollution according to how likely they are to affect your local environment.
Slide presentation part 2: Measuring PM2.5
Worksheet: Measuring PM2.5
Use this worksheet to make predictions about PM2.5, and to record the PM2.5 data you collect and analyse at your school.
Use this worksheet to make predictions about PM2.5, and to record the PM2.5 data you collect and analyse at your school.
Extension Opportunities
Investigate historical air quality trends
Students compare their data to real-time PM2.5 levels on the NSW Air Quality website to explore air pollution trends in their area.
As another activity, they could compare local trends with data from a major Australian city or a rural area. Analyse why differences may exist.
Explore global air pollution. Research air quality in major cities worldwide using online air quality monitoring tools such as IQAir. Compare your local air quality with cities like Beijing, New Delhi or Los Angeles.
Students compare their data to real-time PM2.5 levels on the NSW Air Quality website to explore air pollution trends in their area.
As another activity, they could compare local trends with data from a major Australian city or a rural area. Analyse why differences may exist.
Explore global air pollution. Research air quality in major cities worldwide using online air quality monitoring tools such as IQAir. Compare your local air quality with cities like Beijing, New Delhi or Los Angeles.
Monitor and collate traffic data
Assign students to monitor and collate traffic data in areas around the school closest to roads. Students could cross-check their data with the Google Maps traffic function at set times throughout the school day to analyse the relationship between PM2.5 levels and traffic.
Assign students to monitor and collate traffic data in areas around the school closest to roads. Students could cross-check their data with the Google Maps traffic function at set times throughout the school day to analyse the relationship between PM2.5 levels and traffic.
Explore pollen and air quality
Use the iNaturalist app to identify local plants, research their flowering or pollen-producing seasons, and evaluate whether they significantly contribute to pollen levels in the air. To delve deeper into the connection between pollen and air quality, explore the AirRater project, which collects air pollution data and tracks how it correlates with people’s reported health symptoms.
Use the iNaturalist app to identify local plants, research their flowering or pollen-producing seasons, and evaluate whether they significantly contribute to pollen levels in the air. To delve deeper into the connection between pollen and air quality, explore the AirRater project, which collects air pollution data and tracks how it correlates with people’s reported health symptoms.
Vocabulary
Learning journal prompts
What did I learn?
What did you observe when measuring PM2.5 levels in different areas of your school?
Were the readings higher or lower than you expected in certain areas? Why?
What is PM2.5, and why is it important to measure it?
What did you learn about the sources of pollution and how they affect human health and the environment?
What did you observe when measuring PM2.5 levels in different areas of your school?
Were the readings higher or lower than you expected in certain areas? Why?
What is PM2.5, and why is it important to measure it?
What did you learn about the sources of pollution and how they affect human health and the environment?
Connecting and acting
Can you think of other places outside school where PM2.5 pollution might be high or low?
How does air pollution affect daily life in your community?
Based on your findings, what are some changes your school could implement to improve air quality?
How could you personally contribute to reducing PM2.5 pollution at school or at home?
Can you think of other places outside school where PM2.5 pollution might be high or low?
How does air pollution affect daily life in your community?
Based on your findings, what are some changes your school could implement to improve air quality?
How could you personally contribute to reducing PM2.5 pollution at school or at home?
Personal reflections
How did you feel about investigating pollution levels at your school?
How did discovering the sources and effects of air pollution make you feel about the air you breathe?
Did any of the results surprise you?
Why is it important to know about air quality and pollution?
How did you feel about investigating pollution levels at your school?
How did discovering the sources and effects of air pollution make you feel about the air you breathe?
Did any of the results surprise you?
Why is it important to know about air quality and pollution?
Breathe easy: Monitor and reduce carbon dioxide in the classroom
