In some cities, especially large cities such as Los Angeles or Mexico City, visible air pollution is a major problem, both for human health and the environment. A variety of sources contribute to air pollution, but personal vehicles account for one of the main sources. Though each car has relatively low emissions when compared to vehicles of the 1970s, there are so many more cars on the road now that their emissions play a large role in overall pollution. In this activity, students think about alternate ways to power a vehicle to reduce emissions. Student teams design an eco-friendly car using the engineering design process, and make a presentation to showcase their product.

This visualization shows global carbon monoxide concentrations at the 500 millibar altitude in the atmosphere from March 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000. Areas in red have 200 parts per billion of carbon monoxide or more at that altitude (around 5,500 meters), while areas in blue are 50 parts per billion or less. Carbon monoxide is an atmospheric pollutant and the highest concentrations come from grassland and forest fires in Africa and South America, although there is evidence that industrial sources may also be a factor. Atmospheric circulation rapidly moves the carbon monoxide to other parts of the world once it has reached this altitude. This data was measured by the MOPITT instrument on the Terra satellite.

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of air pollution and technologies that have been developed by engineers to reduce air pollution. Students develop an understanding of visible air pollutants with an incomplete combustion demonstration, a "smog in a jar" demonstration, construction of simple particulate matter collectors and by exploring engineering roles related to air pollution. Next, students develop awareness and understanding of the daily air quality and trends in air quality using the Air Quality Index (AQI) listed in the newspaper. Finally, students build and observe a variety of simple models in order to develop an understanding of how engineers use these technologies to clean up and prevent air pollution.

This exercise is designed to introduce students to the idea that human activities can alter the chemistry or gaseous composition of the atmosphere, resulting in a variety of impacts on human health and the environment.

Students develop their understanding of the effects of invisible air pollutants with a rubber band air test, a bean plant experiment and by exploring engineering roles related to air pollution. In an associated literacy activity, students develop visual literacy and write photograph captions. They learn how images are manipulated for a powerful effect and how a photograph can make the invisible (such as pollutants) visible. Note: You may want to set up the activities for Air Pollution unit, Lessons 2 and 3, simultaneously as they require extended data collection time and can share collection sites.

Global carbon monoxide as measured by MOPITT from March 5, 2000 to March 7, 2000 is shown on a rotating globe. High values of carbon monoxide are shown in red and yellow, and the large areas of missing data in white are regions not seen by MOPITT during this three-day period.

Global carbon monoxide as measured by MOPITT from March 5, 2000 to March 7, 2000 is shown on a globe, which then unwraps to a cartesian projection. High values of carbon monoxide are shown in red and yellow, and the large areas of missing data in white are regions not seen by MOPITT during this three-day period.

Global carbon monoxide as measured by MOPITT from March 5, 2000 to March 7, 2000 is shown on a globe, which then unwraps to a cartesian projection and zooms into the African Sahel, fading to data of fires from biomass burning from the VIRS instrument on TRMM. High values of carbon monoxide are shown in red and yellow, and the large areas of missing data in white are regions not seen by MOPITT during this three-day period.

This brochure gives a brief description of the science research that is being done with data from the MOPPITT instrument flying onboard NASA's Terra satellite. It also identifies some of the data products, as well as gives some technical specifications.

Looking at transportation and the environment, students learn that some human-made creations, such as vehicles, can harm the environment. They also learn about alternative fuels and vehicles designed by engineers to minimize pollution. The associated hands-on activity gives students a chance to design their own eco-friendly vehicle.