Borrow a hand-held anemometer from a local meteorologist, or invite a local meteorologist into the classroom when doing the anemometer activity. Anemometers can be purchased from scientific supply companies. Tell students we are going to be studying air pollution. Ask students to write everything they know about air pollution. An alternative assessment is to show students a picture of air pollution in a major city like Los Angeles or New York, and ask them to describe what they see.
Students go on a scavenger hunt to search for signs of pollution.
Students brainstorm and ideas are written on the board or chart paper. Students also write down results of brainstorm and keep in their air pollution science folders or journals. Go outside and look for examples of pollution. In the classroom, discuss what examples we found. Formulate class definition of pollution.