BACKGROUND A cartoon showing air blowing leaves

Almost every living thing on Earth needs air to survive, so it is important that the air is clean. Pollution from cars, factories, farming and other places can cause the air we breathe can contain tiny bits of solid called particles. These particles can be harmful and may make us sick if we breathe them in.

When we breathe, our bodies take in the pollution from the air, which can get caught in the nose, windpipe and lungs, depending on their size.

These particles can cause problems in the body, such as asthma or heart attacks. Lots scientists are working to control air pollution, like working on electric cars, recycling and renewable energy.

 

AIMS

In this experiment, children will investigate different levels of air pollution in their school.

Time needed: 2 hours (1 week apart)

 

TOPICS COVERED

Scientific topics that may be covered include: pollution, breathing, fair testing, magnification and microscopes

 

LESSON OVERVIEW

Lesson 1

The guidelines, lesson plan, PowerPoint and worksheet can be downloaded here

Lesson 2

The guidelines, lesson plan, PowerPoint can be downloaded here

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

You will need graph paper, pencils, rulers, petroleum jelly, spreaders, pocket magnifying glasses, hand-held microscopes, clipboards, garden twine/wire, scissors and calculators. A diaphragm and lungs model or a torso model also may be beneficial.

Full equipment list can be downloaded here

 

METHOD OVERVIEW

  • Fold a piece of graph paper in half and draw a grid on it, about 4 cm squares from the left-hand side, and about 7 from the top to ensure the grid is central
  • Using a spreader, cover the grid with a thin layer of petroleum jelly
  • Attach to clipboard and place in chosen area of school (different groups of students will investigate different areas)
  • Leave for a week
  • Using a hand-held microscope, students will count particles attached to jelly on the grid and compare with their peers

An image showing an animated microscope

Full method is laid out in lesson guidelines attached above

 

Images on this page from benart75 at vecteezy and studiogstock at vecteezy

<a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/microscope”>Microscope Vectors by Vecteezy</a>

<a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/microscope”>Microscope Vectors by Vecteezy</a>

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