Many people are unfamiliar with the serious environmental problem of air pollution compared to other issues like anthropogenic climate change. However, in 2016 the World Health Organization attributed 4.2 million premature deaths to unhealthy air quality worldwide. Air quality challenges are likely to become more exacerbated as populations, transportation, and energy demands continue to grow. This sequence of lessons is designed to promote a deep understanding of this critical issue, including the scientific knowledge and societal decision-making facets. Each lesson draws on the extensive science education research base to foster a logical flow, questions, and activities that promote a high-quality and meaningful learning experience for students.
This unit was developed through a partnership between the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH) (https://www.carteeh.org/) and Texas A&M University’s Teaching Learning & Culture Department.
CARTEEH brings together experts from multiple disciplines that have not traditionally worked together including transportation, public health, and energy sectors. CARTEEH focuses on the impact of transportation emissions on human health. CARTEEH is a Tier-1 center, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary for Research and Technology under the University Transportation Centers program. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute leads the CARTEEH consortium, consisting of four partner universities: Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of California, Riverside. Members of the CARTEEH consortium strongly advocate for advancing research on transportation emissions in a more comprehensive manner and mapping the holistic tailpipe-to-lungs spectrum, which includes the impact of transportation emissions on the environment and public health.
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What is in the Air? - A Middle School Environmental Science Unit
Updated: December 27, 2024
Type: STEM Activity
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Many people are unfamiliar with the serious environmental problem of air pollution compared to other issues like anthropogenic climate change. However, in 2016 the World Health Organization attributed 4.2 million premature deaths to unhealthy air quality worldwide. Air quality challenges are likely to become more exacerbated as populations, transportation, and energy demands continue to grow. This sequence of lessons is designed to promote a deep understanding of this critical issue, including the scientific knowledge and societal decision-making facets. Each lesson draws on the extensive science education research base to foster a logical flow, questions, and activities that promote a high-quality and meaningful learning experience for students.
This unit was developed through a partnership between the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH) (https://www.carteeh.org/) and Texas A&M University’s Teaching Learning & Culture Department.
CARTEEH brings together experts from multiple disciplines that have not traditionally worked together including transportation, public health, and energy sectors. CARTEEH focuses on the impact of transportation emissions on human health. CARTEEH is a Tier-1 center, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary for Research and Technology under the University Transportation Centers program. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute leads the CARTEEH consortium, consisting of four partner universities: Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of California, Riverside. Members of the CARTEEH consortium strongly advocate for advancing research on transportation emissions in a more comprehensive manner and mapping the holistic tailpipe-to-lungs spectrum, which includes the impact of transportation emissions on the environment and public health.
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Are You Struggling to Find High-Quality STEM for Your Classroom?
We can help! Move beyond repetitive building activities and elevate your STEM classroom with authentic, inquiry-based units that are standards-aligned and classroom-tested for high-impact STEM learning!
Join today to access 200+ STEM resources and a full-year scope and sequence for grades K - 8 that promotes innovation, problem-solving, and an integrated approach to engineering learning
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