What's Up?

TOPIC: ATMOSPHERE
LEVEL: Intermediate

"What's Up?"

CONCEPT:: Environmental conditions, temperature, density, and pressure, are continually changing.
STUDENT OBJECTIVE:: The student will observe the amount of pollutants gathered over a set period of time and the data will enable the student to make seasonal comparisons.
OVERVIEW:: Pollutants of all kinds are largely products of physical and biological forces that are constantly effecting the Earth. Animals produce carbon dioxide, volcanoes produce sulfur. The wind is constantly moving the pollutant particles in the atmosphere. Air pollution is, by far, the most dangerous form of pollution. It is in the air that we breathe and directly has an impact on our health. These pollutants are invisible but can be lethal to all of us. The biggest source of pollution is from cars and trucks which is produce by combustible engines.
TEACHER TEXT:

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes

LESSON TIME: 60 minutes to prepare, approximately 11 days to observe and record data.

TEACHER PREP:

WORDS TO KNOW:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STEPS TO FOLLOW:: 1. Make a lath frame approximately 50cm x 50cm.; 2. Use a marking pen to mark the graph paper into any sample size area that you wish- i.e. 10cm2 sections or 1cm2 sections.; 3. Place the graph paper between 2 sheets of contact paper both sticky sides up so that the graph paper is securely held in place.; 4. Staple, nail or thumbtack the contact plate tot he lath frame. Add a support.; 5. Select several different site to display the plates.; 6. Check the plates daily and record on the chart. Use T.V., radio, and newspapers for weather data.; 7. Examine the amount of pollutants from 4 random squares. Use the sample grid coordinates each day. Count the number of pollutants in each grid and record the average number of pollutants on the chart.; 8. Results may be quantified and graphed based on location, weather conditions, and amount of pollutants that were recorded over a period of time.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?: 4......Student is able to communicate that pollutants are small particles in the air and the are harmful to living things. These pollutants can be observed and measured in the atmosphere and we need 30 pounds of air each day to survive. Weather conditions can also determine the amount of pollutants in the air.; 3......Student is able to communicate that pollutants are in the air and they harm living things. Also, need 30 pounds of air each day.; 2......Student is able to communicate pollution is caused by automobiles and it harms the air.; 1......Student is able to communicate that we need air to breathe.

Last modified: Tue Oct 22 10:38:16 PDT 1996