Seventy percent of the air pollution in China is due to car exhaust. Under the umbrella of environmental chemistry, learners extensively explore air pollution. From the makeup of our atmosphere to sources of major air pollutants, classes use the 33rd installment of 36 to study burning fossil fuels, the greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain, and ways to reduce air pollution. 

Concepts

air pollution, the earth's atmosphere, respiration, photosynthesis, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone depletion

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Have pairs choose a specific type of air pollution to research, focusing on solutions, and discuss their findings with the class
• Include hands-on activities to support concepts in the lesson, such as a lab on acid rain

Classroom Considerations

• Assumes learners possess knowledge about respiration, photosynthesis, and the cycling of matter

Pros

• Lesson includes a 10-question assessment at the end
• Provides answers to in-text questions embedded throughout the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.11-12.2