How To Do Your Own Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Donna Rogers US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards National Air Quality Conference February 11, 2014

Air Quality Workshop: A Toolkit for Facilitators  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 amRegistration 9:00 - 9:15 amWelcome and Introductions Workshop Goals/Objectives 9: :15 amNature of Air (Properties of Air; 4 stations; divide teachers and rotate every 15 minutes) 10: :30 amBREAK 10: :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: :45 pmLUNCH 12:45 - 1:45 pmAIR QUALITY EXTRAVAGANZA Bird’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 pmBREAK 2:00 – 2:45 pmClimate Change and/or Ecological Footprint Activities 2:45 - 3:15 pmShowcase 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 pmWhirling, Swirling Air Pollution (good culminating activity; interactive and fun) 3:35 – 4:00 pmQ&A’s, Distribute Resources, Evaluations and Certificates F acilitator (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 Rogers (919)