Contributors: Joanna Rockwell, Kittie Buck, Steven Ashlock
At the beginning of this sustainability project, the three of us had very different interests. Kittie was interested in investigation of alternative energy, Joanna was interested in researching bike transportation, and Steven was interested in the idea of building around pre-existing public transportation. We narrowed our focus to bicycles and how to encourage more people to choose bicycle and mass transportation whenever possible. After some serious brainstorming we realized the obvious- we were all interested in combating air pollution through transportation.
Air pollution is a serious problem. Not only is our ozone being destroyed, but air pollution can have serious health effects on people. Not only is the use of fossil fuels harming our environment, they are also running out. Alternative transportation and energies are essential to decreasing air pollution and increasing public health. There is no better time to see what you and your students can do to stop air pollution now!
You will find various resources to help you and your students become informed about air pollution and combat it below. There are book suggestions, website links, and even some links to lesson plans that have already been planned.
At the beginning of this sustainability project, the three of us had very different interests. Kittie was interested in investigation of alternative energy, Joanna was interested in researching bike transportation, and Steven was interested in the idea of building around pre-existing public transportation. We narrowed our focus to bicycles and how to encourage more people to choose bicycle and mass transportation whenever possible. After some serious brainstorming we realized the obvious- we were all interested in combating air pollution through transportation.
Air pollution is a serious problem. Not only is our ozone being destroyed, but air pollution can have serious health effects on people. Not only is the use of fossil fuels harming our environment, they are also running out. Alternative transportation and energies are essential to decreasing air pollution and increasing public health. There is no better time to see what you and your students can do to stop air pollution now!
You will find various resources to help you and your students become informed about air pollution and combat it below. There are book suggestions, website links, and even some links to lesson plans that have already been planned.
Websites and Organizations:
California Air Resources Board: The Know Zone
http://www.arb.ca.gov/knowzone/teachers/links.htm -
This website has links to all kinds of websites regarding air pollution. A lot of the links have interactive activities. There are also links to websites that discuss the detrimental effect air pollution has on health.
A Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
This website provides a video and a bunch of information pages about global climate change that is important. It explains that air pollution of carbon dioxide is a part of what is harming our planet. Carbon dioxide traps heat in our atmosphere, and that is having all sorts of negative side effects, for example, melting the glaciers. It empasises that we need to make a change in our behaviors now, before it is too late, and provides simple ways that students can make changes.
Kids Health
http://kidshealth.org/kid/asthma_basics/triggers/ozone_asthma.html
This is a good article for kids. It explains what ozone is in simple terms. It also gives examples of what can cause air pollution such as exhaust given of by cars, factories, and power plants. Then it goes into how breathing in toxic air can our health.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/knowzone/teachers/links.htm -
This website has links to all kinds of websites regarding air pollution. A lot of the links have interactive activities. There are also links to websites that discuss the detrimental effect air pollution has on health.
A Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
This website provides a video and a bunch of information pages about global climate change that is important. It explains that air pollution of carbon dioxide is a part of what is harming our planet. Carbon dioxide traps heat in our atmosphere, and that is having all sorts of negative side effects, for example, melting the glaciers. It empasises that we need to make a change in our behaviors now, before it is too late, and provides simple ways that students can make changes.
Kids Health
http://kidshealth.org/kid/asthma_basics/triggers/ozone_asthma.html
This is a good article for kids. It explains what ozone is in simple terms. It also gives examples of what can cause air pollution such as exhaust given of by cars, factories, and power plants. Then it goes into how breathing in toxic air can our health.
Kids Health
Here is a short article on Bike Safety. It covers everything from choosing the proper helmet to wear, to all the hand signals to use when riding. This article is important for promoting forms of transportation that do not pollute the environment and also give kids some exercise.
Drive Clean: Buying Guide
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/index.php
Here is a website that helps people choose a car that is better for the environment. You can search the year, make, and model of the car you want and see how clean and efficient it is.
Quote from the site: "Looking to reduce your carbon footprint, save money or just contribute less to that nasty smog? Well, this is your buying guide to the cleanest, most efficient cars on the market."
ARB Bicycle Awareness Program
http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/tsaq/bicycle/factsht.htm
This is a Bicycle Fact Sheet with statistics about how more bike travel can dramatically decrease the pollution in California. The site also discusses ways the government is trying to promote more bike travel in California. Here is a quote: "More Bicycling = Less Pollution. The U.S. Department of Transportation's three-year National Bicycling and Walking Study, completed in 1994, identified strategies for doubling the percentage of total trips made by bicycling and walking and identified scenarios for increasing bicycle trips by 3 to 5 times current levels. The 1991 Statewide Travel Survey found 1.3 percent of trips were made by bicycle."
CoolCalifornia.org
http://www.coolcalifornia.org/article/climate-change-curriculum
Here is a great site that actually has links to climate change curriculum for grades K-12. There are several links for specific lesson plans and even some school assemblies that educate kids about global warming and how to promote a healthy environment.
Spare the Air
http://www.sparetheair.org
This website has information for the community as well as teachers and students about the air in the San Francisco Bay Area. The site notifies viewers of upcoming spare the air days. If you navigate to the educational tools section (http://www.sparetheair.org/Get-Involved/For-Teachers-and-Students/Educational-Tools.aspx), you will find videos as well as interactive activities.
Coalition for Clean Air
http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/
The Coalition for Clean Air is committed to restoring clean, healthy air to all of California and strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise. Their website has a ton of facts and information for anyone interested in clean air solutions or air pollution in general.
California Bicycle Coalition
http://www.calbike.org/resources.htm
This site has an array of local and national bicycle information. Local information is separated by county so viewers may find the the information for their own location. There is also lots of information on how to get involved in the political side of biking, as well as safety tips, bicycle commuting tips, and information on bicycle related legislation.
Erideshare (online carpooling community)
Drive Clean: Buying Guide
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/index.php
Here is a website that helps people choose a car that is better for the environment. You can search the year, make, and model of the car you want and see how clean and efficient it is.
Quote from the site: "Looking to reduce your carbon footprint, save money or just contribute less to that nasty smog? Well, this is your buying guide to the cleanest, most efficient cars on the market."
ARB Bicycle Awareness Program
http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/tsaq/bicycle/factsht.htm
This is a Bicycle Fact Sheet with statistics about how more bike travel can dramatically decrease the pollution in California. The site also discusses ways the government is trying to promote more bike travel in California. Here is a quote: "More Bicycling = Less Pollution. The U.S. Department of Transportation's three-year National Bicycling and Walking Study, completed in 1994, identified strategies for doubling the percentage of total trips made by bicycling and walking and identified scenarios for increasing bicycle trips by 3 to 5 times current levels. The 1991 Statewide Travel Survey found 1.3 percent of trips were made by bicycle."
CoolCalifornia.org
http://www.coolcalifornia.org/article/climate-change-curriculum
Here is a great site that actually has links to climate change curriculum for grades K-12. There are several links for specific lesson plans and even some school assemblies that educate kids about global warming and how to promote a healthy environment.
Spare the Air
http://www.sparetheair.org
This website has information for the community as well as teachers and students about the air in the San Francisco Bay Area. The site notifies viewers of upcoming spare the air days. If you navigate to the educational tools section (http://www.sparetheair.org/Get-Involved/For-Teachers-and-Students/Educational-Tools.aspx), you will find videos as well as interactive activities.
Coalition for Clean Air
http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/
The Coalition for Clean Air is committed to restoring clean, healthy air to all of California and strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise. Their website has a ton of facts and information for anyone interested in clean air solutions or air pollution in general.
California Bicycle Coalition
http://www.calbike.org/resources.htm
This site has an array of local and national bicycle information. Local information is separated by county so viewers may find the the information for their own location. There is also lots of information on how to get involved in the political side of biking, as well as safety tips, bicycle commuting tips, and information on bicycle related legislation.
Erideshare (online carpooling community)
http://www.erideshare.com/
This is an amazing resource for those looking to cut down on air pollution through carpooling. This site provides a network of people all over the world sharing their commute information in order to find others willing to carpool with them in order to get more cars off the road.
Air Now (air quality measurements by location)
http://www.airnow.gov/
AIr Now is a government site that provides information on the quality of air in any given city in the US. The layout is easy to use with a color scheme of green for “good” air quality, yellow for “moderate”, and red for “bad”. Further technical information is also provided.
This is an amazing resource for those looking to cut down on air pollution through carpooling. This site provides a network of people all over the world sharing their commute information in order to find others willing to carpool with them in order to get more cars off the road.
Air Now (air quality measurements by location)
http://www.airnow.gov/
AIr Now is a government site that provides information on the quality of air in any given city in the US. The layout is easy to use with a color scheme of green for “good” air quality, yellow for “moderate”, and red for “bad”. Further technical information is also provided.
Lesson Plans:
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/teach/show/58/are_you_an_energy_efficient_consumer
Lesson plan geared towards 6th-12th graders. Has students calculating their carbon footprint
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/468.shtml
This lesson plan is suggested as a lesson plan to begin a week long unit on air pollution. It has some good ideas that could be used as a whole lesson plan, or as supplements to other lesson plans about air pollution. Suggested for early elementary school
http://www.juliantrubin.com/encyclopedia/environment/airpollution.html
This website has links to background information as well as to suggested lesson plans and experiments. There are activities appropriate, or could be adapted to all age ranges.
http://www.lessonplanet.com/lesson-plans/air-pollution
This is a fantastic website that offers nearly 1000 lesson plans/activities related to air pollution. You can narrow down the age range as well as select lesson plans with high ratings to be suggested.
Lesson plan geared towards 6th-12th graders. Has students calculating their carbon footprint
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/468.shtml
This lesson plan is suggested as a lesson plan to begin a week long unit on air pollution. It has some good ideas that could be used as a whole lesson plan, or as supplements to other lesson plans about air pollution. Suggested for early elementary school
http://www.juliantrubin.com/encyclopedia/environment/airpollution.html
This website has links to background information as well as to suggested lesson plans and experiments. There are activities appropriate, or could be adapted to all age ranges.
http://www.lessonplanet.com/lesson-plans/air-pollution
This is a fantastic website that offers nearly 1000 lesson plans/activities related to air pollution. You can narrow down the age range as well as select lesson plans with high ratings to be suggested.
Suggested Books for Children (sorted by audience age):
Ages 4-8:
- Bridges, A. (2009). Clean Air. Flashpoint. ISBN: 978-1596435766
This books is art of a series (Sally Ride Science) that teaches children about all parts of
the environment. This specific book talks about all the greenhouse gases that are being added into the atmosphere.
- Glass, S. (2006). Sara Sparrow. Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN: 978-1598580655
This is a fictional story told from a sparrow’s point of view. Sara the sparrow finds it
This is a fictional story told from a sparrow’s point of view. Sara the sparrow finds it
difficult to breath once she reaches polluted air and helps kids discover what air pollution is, what causes it, and how it can be reduced. There are links to resources to help students discover more information online.
- Jimenez, N. & Jimenez, E. (2010). Blow: Air. Barron’s Educational Series.
ISBN: 978-0764145452. Part of a series of environmental books. Explains why clean air is necessary, and instills that our resources are precious and need to be taken care of. there are suggested activities in book.
- Lewellyn, C. (2005). Fight air pollution (Save the planet). Anova books. ISBN: 978-1844583010
Presents things that children can do to help the environment,
especially by reducing air pollution, starting at home and school and into the community.
- Royston, A. (2008). Polluted air. Heinemann-Raintree. ISBN: 978-1432909314
Explains air pollution, what causes it, what can help reduce it, and ways that everyone
can make a difference.
Ages 5-9:
- Rockwell, A. (2009). What’s so bad about gasoline?: Fossil fuels and what they do. Harper
Collins Publishers. ISBN: 978-0061575273
Part of the ‘Let’s Read and Find Out’ series of books. Talks about how fossil fuels are running out, and how they are harmful to the environment.
Ages 7-9:
- Knight, M. J. (2011). Why should I walk more often? The Creative Company.
ISBN: 978-1897563502. This book provides a wide variety of information including how
fumes from transportaiton negatively affect the air quality, cause acid rains, and
suggestions about how to reduce air pollution including using alternative transportation
than car travel, using non-fossil fuels, and planting trees to help clean the air.
Ages 9-12:
- Benduhn, T. (2008). Ethanol and other new fuels. Gareth Stevens Publishing.
ISBN: 978-0836893595
Part of a the Energy for Today series. Also available in Spanish.
- Benduhn, T. (2008). Nuclear power. Gareth Stevens Publishing. ISBN: 978-0836893618
Part of the Energy for Today series. Also available in Spanish.
- Benduhn, T. (2008). Oil, gas, and coal. Garth Stevens Publishing. ISBN: 978-0836893601
Part of the Energy for Today series. Also available in Spanish.
- Feinstein, S. (2010). Solving the air pollution problem: What you can do. Enslow Publishers.
Part of the Energy for Today series. Also available in Spanish.
- Benduhn, T. (2008). Oil, gas, and coal. Garth Stevens Publishing. ISBN: 978-0836893601
Part of the Energy for Today series. Also available in Spanish.
- Feinstein, S. (2010). Solving the air pollution problem: What you can do. Enslow Publishers.
ISBN: 978-0766033474
- Higgins, M. (2011). The air out there: How clean is clean? Norwood House
Press. ISBN: 978-1599534510
- Gardner, R. (2011). Air: Green science projects for a sustainable planet (Team green science
projects). Enslow Pub Inc. ISBN: 978-076603468
This book could be a great resource to help teachers integrate science and air
pollution/environmental studies.
- Lucas-Donald, R. (2002). Air pollution. CT: Children’s Press. ISBN: 978-0516259987
This book is a part of the True Book series. List of sources in the back for websites, more
books about air pollution.
- Meachen Rau, D. (2010). Alternative energy: Beyond fossil fuels. Compass Point Books.
ISBN: 978-0756542894. This is a chapter book.
Young Adult or No Given age range:
- Morgan, S. (2007). The pros and cons of coal, gas, and oil (The energy debate). Rosen
ISBN: 978-0756542894. This is a chapter book.
Young Adult or No Given age range:
- Morgan, S. (2007). The pros and cons of coal, gas, and oil (The energy debate). Rosen
Central. ISBN: 978-1404237445. Young adult suggested audience.
- Walker, J. (2003). Atmosphere in danger (Environmental disasters). Orchard/Watts Group.
ISBN: 978-0749649524. This book does not have a suggested age.
This book seems to be a little deeper than the others. Talks about how natural disasters
ISBN: 978-0749649524. This book does not have a suggested age.
This book seems to be a little deeper than the others. Talks about how natural disasters
and man-made ‘disasters’ are causing harm to the environment. Discusses how the atmosphere that has been damaged can be repaired.
The previous books were found on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. The list above is just a sample of some of the most current books concerning air pollution.
Research Articles:
The following articles provide insight into academic research concerning air pollution and bicycling.
The role of light duty vehicles in the future of air pollutions: a case study of Sacramento - by Guihua Wang
Transportation Planning and Technology
Vol. 33, No. 6, August 2010, 54154
The Climate Value of Cycling
Natural Resources Forum; May2011, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p100-111, 13p
Ten thousand bicycles in Portland
Earth Island Journal; Summer2006, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p42-42, 1p
Creating Political Pressure for Cycling
Transportation Research Part A: Policy & Practice; Aug2009, Vol. 43 Issue 7, p665-684, 20p
Cost–benefit analyses of walking and cycling track networks taking into account insecurity, health effects and external costs of motorized traffic.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy & Practice; Oct2004, Vol. 38 Issue 8, p593-606, 14p
Fossil fuels, transport, and public health.
BMJ: British Medical Journal (International Edition); 11/11/2000, Vol. 321 Issue 7270, p1168-1169, 2p
Make Way for Bicycles, a Cleaner Way to Go
New York Times; 1/ 1/1991, p28, 0p
Transportation Planning and Technology
Vol. 33, No. 6, August 2010, 54154
The Climate Value of Cycling
Natural Resources Forum; May2011, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p100-111, 13p
Ten thousand bicycles in Portland
Earth Island Journal; Summer2006, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p42-42, 1p
Creating Political Pressure for Cycling
Transportation Research Part A: Policy & Practice; Aug2009, Vol. 43 Issue 7, p665-684, 20p
Cost–benefit analyses of walking and cycling track networks taking into account insecurity, health effects and external costs of motorized traffic.
Transportation Research Part A: Policy & Practice; Oct2004, Vol. 38 Issue 8, p593-606, 14p
Fossil fuels, transport, and public health.
BMJ: British Medical Journal (International Edition); 11/11/2000, Vol. 321 Issue 7270, p1168-1169, 2p
Make Way for Bicycles, a Cleaner Way to Go
New York Times; 1/ 1/1991, p28, 0p
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