How To Do Your Own Air Quality Workshop

for Teachers

Donna RogersUS Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards

National Air Quality ConferenceFebruary 11, 2014

Air Quality Workshop: A Toolkit for Facilitators

www.airnow.gov/teachers

EPA/OAQPS has provided Air Quality Workshops for teachers since early 1990’s

With history/experience wanted to share ideas and resources

Developed the Air Quality Workshop: A Toolkit for Facilitators

How To Do Your Own Teacher Workshop in……Five Easy Steps

1. Recruit and Register Teachers

2. Develop Agenda and Invite Speakers

3. Prepare Materials for Hands-on Activities and Order Resources

4. Host Workshop

5. Evaluation and Follow Up

Step 1.…Recruit and Register Teachers

1. Recruit and Register Teachers

Share recruitment notice via website, conferences, newsletters, co-workers, etc.

K-12 science teachers

Members of environmental organizations

Education Specialists for State Parks, Museums, etc.

Pre-service teachers in local colleges and universities

Step 2…Develop Agenda and Invite Speakers

2. Develop Agenda and Invite Speakers

Sample agendas provided for one or two day workshop

Engage the teachers - keep them involved Hands-on activities Have them share with each other Interactive sessions

8:30 - 9:00 am Registration

9:00 - 9:15 am Welcome and Introductions

Workshop Goals/Objectives

9:15 - 10:15 am Nature of Air (Properties of Air; 4 stations; divide teachers and rotate every 15 minutes)

10:15 - 10:30 am BREAK

10:30 - 11:15 am EPA’s Regulatory Approach to Air Quality Management (and/or Your State’s Approach)

11:15 – 12:00 pm Field Testing for Ozone – (Schoenbein testing strips – hang strips outside)

12:00 - 12:45 pm LUNCH

12:45 - 1:45 pm AIR QUALITY EXTRAVAGANZABird’s Eye View & More (K-2) Air Temperature Inversion (6-12)As I Live and Breathe (3-5) Ozone: Double Trouble (9-12)Let’s Sock Car Exhaust (6-8) Don’t Take a Lichen for Pollution (6-8)

1:45 - 2:00 pm BREAK

2:00 – 2:45 pm Climate Change and/or Ecological Footprint Activities

2:45 - 3:15 pm Showcase EPA’s Online Resources: AIRNow; AQI for Kids; AIRNow for Students; Smog City 2; Air Pollution: What’s the Solution; School Flag Program; Children’s Book

3:15 – 3:35 pm Whirling, Swirling Air Pollution (good culminating activity; interactive and fun)

3:35 – 4:00 pm Q&A’s, Distribute Resources, Evaluations and Certificates

Facilitator (Contact Information)

Sample One Day Agenda

Properties of Air

Table Lift

Air Creates Pressure

Step 3…Prepare Materials and Order Resources

3. Prepare Materials and Order Resources

Materials for activities are easy to obtain…card stock, scissors, tape, milk cartons, straws, coffee filters, etc.

Organize/store each activity in individual containers

Teachers LOVE “FREE” - order resources from NSCEP, state agencies, health organizations, etc.

Step 4…Host Workshop

4. Host Workshop

Be prepared - set up the day before

Provide coffee, juice, bagels or some refreshment

Step 5…Evaluation and Follow Up

5. Evaluation and Follow Up

Feedback is critical

What worked, what didn’t work?

“Thank you” to teachers, speakers, anyone who helped

Have a workshop!

Teachers need air quality information and ideas.

Donna Rogersrogers.donna@epa.gov(919) 541-5478