Plan
- Where does air pollution come from?
- What happens when the air is polluted?
- How can we tell if the air outside is safe to breathe?
- What supplies will you need for this adventure?
- Where will you hang your pollution catcher?
Do
- Turn your paper plate upside down – use the hole punch or pencil to make two holes at the top of the plate and two holes at the bottom.
- Attach your paper clips or string through the holes – these will be used to hang your plate outside.
- Next, spread the petroleum jelly (Vaseline) over the front of the plate. It is sticky and will catch particles in the air.
- Bring your plate home and hang it outside. You could hang it on a tree, fence, balcony, etc.
- Check on your plate after two or three days – do you notice a build up of any particles?
- If the air is very clean, you may not see a build up of particles right away. Keep checking back!
Review
- Did you see any particles on your pollution catcher? Where did they come from?
- How does dirty air affect us? What should we do when the air quality is low?
- How can we check how clean the air is?
- Remember to submit your activities on our Scouts for Sustainability Take Action Map to the Review section.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Hole punch or pencil to make holes
- Vaseline/petroleum jelly
- Paper clips or string to hang your plate
Keep it Simple
- Start adding an air quality check to your program plans – before venturing out, check the weather and the air quality to make sure you are prepared for your adventure!
Take it Further
- Learn a more about how particles affect our air as you make a cloud in a jar!
