IAQ TfS Lesson Plans (K-12)

The indoor or “built” environment is as fascinating and
complex as the outdoor environment and since we spend 90% of our day
indoors, the quality of the air indoors becomes crucial to our health
and productivity. Are you looking for creative ways to teach students
about this important topic? Discover how you can promote awareness
around indoor air quality (IAQ) and teach your curriculum standards at
the same time by checking out these hands-on, interactive lesson plans.
Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) NEA HIN has created a series of K-12 lesson plans that
supplement the U.S. EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools program and
kit. All of the lesson plans are tied to standards and can be easily
integrated with your school district’s curriculum. Many of the lessons
can be adapted to any grade level and can be used as independent
activities or put together to build an IAQ unit.

Click here to download the lesson plans (PDF)

To view each lesson plan individually, please review the title and brief description below and click on the assigned link.

 Lesson 1 Introduction and Overview to IAQ –

This
lesson introduces students to the indoor environment. Students will be able to
list questions, vocabulary and key ideas to learn during the unit of study.
Students will brainstorm concepts related to the indoor environment, define the
concept of the indoor environment, and list properties of the indoor
environment.

Lesson 2 Floor Covering Investigation –

This
lesson allows students to determine sources of indoor pollution by
investigating the pros and cons of various types of flooring (using Internet
research). Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the
connection between indoor air pollution and its effects on occupant health.

Lesson 3 Creating Public Awareness –

This
lesson encourages students to prevent indoor environment problems by promoting
public awareness. Students will design billboards to educate building occupants
on various IAQ problems.

Lesson 4 Using the Problem Solving Wheel –

This
lesson provides students an opportunity to solve problems using the EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Problem Solving
Wheel.

Lesson 5 Ventilation Basics Video Inquiry –

This
lesson teaches students how ventilation systems are used to provide quality air
in the indoor environment. Students will participate in a video bingo game
while watching the EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Ventilation
Basics Video.

Lesson 6 Movement of the Air Diorama Activity – This lesson fosters an understanding of mechanical airflow. Students will make dioramas representing mechanical airflow and write a 3-4 sentence description.

Lesson 7 Movement of Air Mind Map Activity – This lesson fosters an understanding of mechanical airflow. Students will create mind maps to explain the process of mechanical airflow.

Lesson 8 Movement of Air Physical Model Activity – This lesson fosters an understanding of mechanical airflow. Students will create physical models that demonstrate mechanical airflow.

Lesson 9 Identifying Indoor Environment Pollution Sources – This activity is to develop an understanding for the causes of indoor air pollution. Students will categorize the causes of indoor air pollution using a list, group, and label strategy.

Lesson 10 Preventing and Fixing Indoor Air Pollution – This lesson is to develop solutions to indoor environment problems. Students create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting solutions, determine if the solutions will prevent or fix the problems, and write a summary of the Venn Diagram.

Lesson 11 Invention Project – This lesson allows students to demonstrate knowledge about IAQ. Students will design inventions to prevent or fix indoor environment problems.

Lesson 12 Magazine Publication Project – This lesson allows students to demonstrate knowledge about IAQ. Students will design and publish a magazine about IAQ.

Lesson 13 School Board – This lesson allows students to demonstrate knowledge about IAQ. Students will write and deliver speeches to inform school board members about IAQ problems and the importance of IAQ management plans in preventing and solving those problems.

Lesson 14 Vocabulary Development ABC Book – This lesson is to develop understanding of IAQ vocabulary words. Students will create ABC books using IAQ vocabulary words.

Lesson 15 Vocabulary Development Deck of Word Cards – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Students will be able to recall definitions of vocabulary words by writing sentences using those words.

Lesson 16 Vocabulary Development dictionary Game – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Using the main concept from the game “Balderdash”, students will be able to learn new Vocabulary words.

Lesson 17 Vocabulary Development Listening for Vocabulary Words – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Students will use listening skills to identify IAQ vocabulary words.

Lesson 18 Vocabulary Development Acquiring New Vocabulary Through Discussion Groups – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Using structured discussion groups, students will locate unfamiliar words within an assigned text and determine their meaning using a variety of strategies. Students will acquire new vocabulary identified from the assigned text.

Lesson 19 Vocabulary Development Vocabulary Puzzles – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Students create and complete puzzles using the definitions of IAQ vocabulary words.

Lesson 20 Vocabulary Development Vocabulary Zoo – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Students use listening skills to recall new IAQ vocabulary words and definitions.

Lesson 21 Vocabulary Development Word Walls – This lesson is to develop an understanding of vocabulary words about IAQ. Students will identify and define words that appear on the word wall.

IAQ Lesson Plan Supplement Vocabulary List – This lesson provides a list of IAQ vocabulary words.