What is air? Can we see it? Dr. Greg Vogt uses simple objects to demonstrate that air occupies the space around us.
Air, Atmosphere, and Living Systems
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The Air unit lets students creatively explore air and the atmosphere, air quality, and related issues, such as allergens in the places we live, study, and work. The unit’s integrated components help students understand important science, health, and environmental concepts related to air.
The Science of Air Teacher’s Guide provides inquiry-based lessons that entice students to discover concepts in science, mathematics, and health through hands-on activities.
In the student storybook Mr. Slaptail’s Secret, Riff and Rosie look forward to another fun summer together in Bright Water Corners. This adventure finds them observing their neighbor, Mr. Slaptail, dragging a big, dark bag down a moonlit road. As the mystery unfolds, the cousins discover Mr. Slaptail's cluttered, dusty home is packed full of trash, recycled products, and chemical products, like paint and glue. What makes Rosie sneeze? What does Mr. Slaptail do with all of his stuff?
Explorations is a colorful magazine full of articles and fun things for children and adults to try in class or at home, including hands-on activities like creating a model of how air moves into and out of the body.
The Math Link extends each unit by connecting the story and hands-on science activities to mathematics skill-building and critical-thinking exercises, and The Reading Link provides language arts activities related to the story.
Complete Teacher's Guide
Teacher Guide
The Science of Air Teacher's Guide
Students explore basic concepts related to air and the atmosphere, air quality, and associated issues, such as allergens in the places we live, study and work.
Slide Set
The Science of Air Classroom Slides
Slide set containing information and images from The Science of Air Teacher's Guide, for use in classrooms as needed.
Courses
Short Course
Environmental Health: Indoor Air Pollution
The respiratory system is exposed to all substances in the air, from inhaled gases to various particles. Learn how indoor air-borne contaminants end up in the lungs and body. (6 contact hours)
Individual Lessons
What Is Air? (pre-assessment)
Students complete a pre-assessment to gauge their knowledge related to air, gases, breathing and respiration, indoor air and environmental health.
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Gases Matter
Students are introduced to the concept of gases. If students already have explored this topic, the lesson may be used as a review.
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About Air
Students use different colors of popcorn to model the composition of air.
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Moving Air
Students observe how warming or cooling a small amount of air changes the amount of space it occupies inside a bubble.
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Breathing Machine
Students create a model that approximates how the lungs, chest and diaphragm interact during breathing.
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Lungometer: Vital Lung Capacity
Students gauge their own vital lung capacity—the amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs in a single breath.
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Heart and Lungs
Students learn how to measure their breathing and pulse rates, and explore the impact of physical activity on their measurements.
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Dust Catchers
Students make a simple device to collect particles from the air at home or in the classroom.
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Fungus Among Us
Students grow and observe bread mold and other kinds of common fungi.
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There's Something in the Air
To model the movement of pollutants through the air, students compare the dispersal of odors, both inside and outdoors.
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Healthy Homes (post-assessment)
Students complete a post-assessment to demonstrate what they have learned about air composition, breathing, indoor and outdoor air quality, and other subjects covered in this series of lessons.
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Use the Air unit's inquiry-based, discovery-oriented educational materials to help students understand important science, health, and environmental concepts related to air.
Reading
Mr. Slaptail's Secret
Rosie's cousin, Riff, comes to visit for the summer, and they are intrigued by the activities of Rosie's mysterious neighbor, Mr. Slaptail.
Grade(s)
K-2
K-2
Reading
Explorations Magazine
Students learn about the properties of air, identify microscopic entities found in dust, make a lung model, read about a pulmonologist, and trace air pathways in the body.
Grade(s)
K-2
K-2
Worksheets
The Math Link
Math worksheets connect the story, Mr. Slaptail's Secret, to mathematics skill-building and critical thinking exercises.
Grade(s)
K-2
K-2
Worksheets
The Reading Link
Ready-to-use reading and language arts activities directly related to the subjects covered in lessons and the storybook, Mr. Slaptail's Secret.
Grade(s)
K-2
K-2
Worksheets
Make a Paper Flyer
Students use inexpensive materials to create and decorate a simple paper flyer, and then test it.
Grade(s)
K-2
K-2
Related Video and Slide Presentations
Video
Air Has Weight and Exerts Pressure
Sometimes the air around us feels heavier than at other times. What causes that? Dr. Greg Vogt provides the answer.
Video
Air Occupies Space
What is air? Can we see it? Dr. Greg Vogt uses simple objects to demonstrate that air occupies the space around us.
Video
Density
Explore the relative density of solids, liquids, and gases, and learn techniques for measuring the density and volume of common objects.
Science Safety
Good safety habits are critical in any learning environment, especially during inquiry science investigations. This presentation covers key safety concerns and provides tips to help make your science classroom safer.
Video Digital Slide Set
Video
States of Matter
Basic information about the nature of matter, the different forms it can take, and the characteristics of each state of matter. This video also discusses how matter changes from one state to another.
Tools and Equipment of Science
Learn about the tools and equipment needed by elementary students to engage in hands-on inquiry science. This presentation was made originally for teachers in Houston, Texas, but most of the information is widely applicable.
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Presentation
What's New with Asthma
Peter W. Haitt, MD, speaks about asthma and options for treating it.
Video
Why Do Our Ears Pop?
Our ears pop in airplanes in flight, and sometimes when we have a cold. What makes that happen?
Video
Why Do We Sneeze?
Allergy season is here and people start sneezing. Cold season is here and the same thing happens. Why?
Nature News Stories
BioEd Online is pleased to provide current biology and life sciences news stories from Nature News, the science syndication arm of the premier international science publisher, the Nature Publishing Group.
For articles on a variety of topics, visit BioEd Online's Nature News library.
Antarctic project to drill for oldest-ever ice core Hydropower dams can help mitigate the global warming impact of wetlandsAssociated Teaching Units
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The Food Unit
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Resources
The Global Change Unit
The Global Change unit gives students an opportunity to investigate a variety of physical and life science concepts related to energy, metabolism and the role of nutrients in the body.
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The Water Unit
The Water unit provides students with a fresh look at water and lets them discover why it is necessary to the well-being of all living creatures.
Funding
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH
My Health My World: National Dissemination
Grant Number: 5R25ES009259
The Environment as a Context for Opportunities in Schools
Grant Number: 5R25ES010698, R25ES06932