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4b
Research
Preparation time: 45 min
Teaching time: 80 min

How can we measure pollution? Part 2

In this unit the students will calculate pollution in the local area. They will put DIY sensors out, collect data, analyse it and draw conclusions. They will then calculate pollution levels using the Hackair app. Next, they will look at trees as filters. Students will combine this with their previous data to create infographics on the number of cars vs. trees. Finally, they will calculate the number of trees needed to counteract car pollution.

Format

  • Field trip
  • Group work
  • Hands on activity
  • Scientific/technological inquiry
  • Survey

Age

  • 9-11

What

The possible connections with your curriculum

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Design
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences

Who

The people who take up the teacher role

  • Informal education facilitator
  • Teacher

Where

The locations where learning takes place

  • Other spaces in school

With

The community stakeholders to collaborate with

-

Ready for action?

Resources

Web links

Tangible Resources

DIY Vaseline sensors - hole punch, pencil, yarn/string/shoelace, Vaseline, graph paper, scissors, cardboard, binder clips, magnifying glass.

Human Resources

Extra adults to facilitate field trip.

Preparation

Test Vaseline sensors, prepare paperwork for off-site visit if necessary.

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

  • Students will set up and collect data from simple pollution sensors.
  • Students will learn that trees can act as natural filters for air pollution.

Specific messages

  • One of the benefits for having trees is that they can act as natural filters of air pollution.
  • Trees can be used to help counteract some of the air pollution in their local area.
  • Pollution can be measured using simple sensors.

Main terms

  • measuring pollution
  • sensor
  • data
  • analysis
  • infographic

Practices & skills

STEM practices

  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
  • Using mathematics and computational thinking
  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Planning and carrying out investigations

Soft skills

  • Empathy
  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Learning failure is a part of learning
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

  • Planning
  • Use of resources

Course of activity

step 1

Students will follow the instructions to make a DIY pollution sensor.

step 2

They will then leave the sensors out within the school grounds near the street for several days.

step 3

Students will also look at trees as filters, learning how trees can absorb CO2 by visiting the 3 locations from the previous Learning Unit again and counting trees on the same road (or local park).

step 4

They will combine their tree data with their previous data to create graphs/infographics on the number of trees compared to the number of vehicles.

step 5

Finally, they will calculate the number of trees needed to counteract car pollution.

step 6

Students will collect their sensors after several days.

step 7

They will collect data – how many particles were collected in each area over what time, analyse the results and draw conclusions. They will then use the Hackair app to calculate pollution levels.