Teaching Tips

• Teachers should explicitly connect air pollution to climate change.
• Educators will want to think about how to share the background information in engaging ways with their students ahead of class since the activity jumps right into the project.
• Kindergarteners and some 1st/2nd graders will likely have difficulty bending the coat hangers and may need adult assistance.
• Since birds will be hung outside over a period of time, teachers should carry out this activity during a week where there is little rain or there is the opportunity to bring the birds inside.
• If time allows, especially for older grades, consider adding an engineering component by having the class brainstorm and design a way to collect particulate matter rather than giving them a pre-made template.
• This activity provides an opportunity for justice-based conversations to discuss how pollution is typically higher in BIPOC (black, indigenous people of color) and low-income communities.

About the Content

• This lesson is about air pollution, where it comes from, where we find it and how it can be measured.
• This activity provides a hands-on opportunity for elementary school students to learn about sources of air pollution by creating particulate matter collectors shaped like birds to place around their school.
• Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

• Students will become aware that air pollution exists and affects living things.
• Incorporating art into a science experiment supports different learning styles.
• The bird-shaped pollution collectors will appeal to young audiences.
• Students generate a hypothesis and make observations.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

• Wire hangers, knee-high hose (tan or white), and petroleum jelly are needed to complete this activity.
• The activity may require more prep time for teachers of younger students due to the motor skills required to construct the birds or consider partnering with an older class to have older students assist the younger students with this.

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