Science project
In the Air and All Around
Type
Grade
3rd – 5th grades
Difficulty of Project
Cost
Less than $5.00
Safety Issues
Material Availability
Readily available or easily purchased at the grocery store
Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project
Three days to collect the data; one additional day to prepare the chart
Objective
To investigate the local air quality
Materials and Equipment
- 4 blank white index cards
- 4 pieces of string about 8 inches in length
- Pen
- Petroleum jelly
- Cotton swab
- Small re-closeable plastic bag
- Magnifying glass
Background Information
Since the beginning of the Industrial Age, air pollution has been a problem. Cars and factories add to our quality of life, yet take away from our quality of air.
In this investigation, local air quality is analyzed.
Terms, Concepts, and Questions to Start Background Research
Terms
allergens: any substance that causes an allergic reaction; common allergens in our environment include pollen, dust, and grass
pollution: harmful substances in the air
Concepts
Some allergens in the air are natural such as pollen, grass, and dust. Pollution is caused by unnatural substances in the air such as smoke. Both allergens and pollution affect the quality of air and how people breath.
Research Questions
- What causes allergens in the air?
- What allergens are in the air we breathe?
- Do some places have more allergens than other places?
- What health problems do allergens cause?
Experimental Procedure
- Gather the necessary materials.
- Tape a piece of string to each of the index cards so that the cards can be hung in different places.
- Label the four cards: “Inside My House,” “In My Yard,” “In My Neighborhood,” and “Control.”
- Using the cotton swap, spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly one side of each card.
- Hang the first card somewhere in the inside of your house, the second card in your yard, and the third card somewhere in your neighborhood. Hang them somewhere where they will not be disturbed for three days. Place the “Control” card inside the re-closeable plastic bag.
- After three days, gather the index cards. Use the magnifying glass to examine the cards for signs of allergens and pollution. Compare the cards to the “Control” card. Record your findings.
Bibliography
Articles
“Ozone, Air Quality, and Asthma” at http://kidshealth.org
Websites
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