Clearing the Air with School Resource

A new school resource will help school students learn more about air quality and the hazards of pollution in Hawke’s Bay.

The “Clearing the Air” education resource was launched yesterday at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/Services/Education/Education/Pages/Resource-Kits-for-Schools.aspx

HBRC has developed the resource to support the HeatSmart programme which aims to reduce smoke pollution in the region. The resource has had the input of teachers, scientists, HBRC staff and Māori advisor Brian Morris.

“The resource taps into the science curriculum, is easy to use and will give teachers a good foundation for educating children about the importance of clean air for clean lungs and good health,” says Sally Chandler, HBRC’s Community engagement coordinator.

The “Clearing the Air” resource helps children to understand climate and atmospheric science, human health and factors in good air quality. Chapters cover states of matter, atmospheric layers, the inversion layer and photosynthesis.

“We inhale about 10 litres of air a minute, compared with the two litres of water a day we need to drink, so we should pay as much attention to air quality, if not more, as we do to water quality,” says HBRC air quality scientist Dr Kathleen Kozyniak.

Each chapter starts with a poster which can be used for discussion prompts, and includes teacher notes and student activities. The resource is Hawke’s Bay focussed, and will help children learn about the inversion layer that forms in winter over areas of the region. Traditional Māori stories and legends are also incorporated. The resource is linked to the National Curriculum for students in Years 4 – 8.

“Clearing the Air” is available online from www.hbrc.govt.nz (search on Clearing the Air) so that teachers can download the activities they want to use for their classes. The user guide is also available in print format on request from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Community Engagement Coordinator.

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