What can pollution do to me?

In this activity, students will think about how pollution affects their bodies. A local expert will be invited into the classroom so the students can ask questions and hear from a professional. The expert will show them a diagram of the lungs and demonstrate what happens when we breathe in polluted air.

Format

Discussion
Group work
Scientific demonstration

Age

9-11

What

The possible connections with your curriculum

Biology
Chemistry

Who

The people who take up the teacher role

Expert
Teacher

Where

The locations where learning takes place

Classroom

With

The community stakeholders to collaborate with

Ready for action?

Resources

Downloadable Resources

How air pollution affects our bodies worksheet

Tangible Resources

Pen, paper/workbooks

Preparation

Organise local expert to come into classroom (e.g. STEM ambassadors, community nurse, medical students, local doctor)

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

To understand how pollution can affect their bodies.
To understand that our lungs act as a filter for air pollution.

Specific messages

Pollution can be harmful for our body.
Our lungs can act as a filter, preventing harmful particles from damaging our bodies.

Main terms

physical health
pollution
particle
filter

Practices & skills

STEM practices

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Asking questions and defining problems

Soft skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

Course of activity

step 1

A local expert will show the students a model of the lungs and demonstrate what happens when we breathe in air and pollution and how our lungs act as a filter.

step 2

Students will then ask any questions to the expert.

step 3

Students will then draw diagrams in their books and annotate them with information gained from the expert.