What Can We Do About Air Pollution?

Students explore how public policy decisions are made and practice solving problems that require choices. Students learn that solving environmental issues involves a diversity of stakeholders and that everyone can contribute to solutions to air pollution problems. The example used involves ozone nonattainment areas in Michigan. An additional lesson on decision-making involving the choice of vehicles may be found on the accompanying MEECS Air Quality CD. This is a Web Quest that can also be used offline.

Students answer the essential questions: What should be done about the high levels of ozone in areas of Michigan? How can individuals make a difference in solving air quality issues?

Subject/Target Grade

Science/Middle School (7-9)

Duration

Two 45-50 minute periods - Classroom setting

Materials 

per class

• Letter from U.S. EPA to Governor Granholm, April 15, 2004 (teacher resource)

• Nonattainment Areas 8-hour Ozone Standard (transparency master) 

• Role Card Examples (student resource) 

• Particle Pollution Nonattainment Areas, 2010 (teacher resource) per small group 

• What’s the Problem? (student activity) 

• Measures to Meet Ozone Air Quality Standards (student resource) 

• Evaluation of the Plan (optional student activity) 

• Ozone Action Day Tips (student resource) per student or small group (optional) 

• Particle Pollution (student resource) 

• EPA Designates Seven Michigan Counties As PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas (student resource)