Real Pollution Data

• Using online real-time data reported by the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index chart, students can be involved in an educational project to investigate the causes and effects of outdoor air pollution. Through the activity outlined through Stevens Institute of Technology, students will learn what factors contribute to polluted air. In addition, students will learn how to use data and animated maps to monitor polluted air. After data have been collected, the students then need to arrive at conclusions about how to fix the problems causing air pollution. .
  
  

Oil Spill Solution

• Investigate how oil spills occur and affect the environment. In addition, determine how to respond to an oil spill. Oil is less dense than water and does not mix with water. In fact, it floats on water. In a large beaker or container, fill 75 percent with water. Add vegetable oil. Notice that the oil does not mix. Take pictures and record results. Explain if an oil spill were to occur in the environment how it would affect living organisms. Come up with a solution, such as dish soap. Dish soap has been known to clean oil from both living and nonliving things. Therefore, place an object, such as a piece of wood, into the beaker of water and vegetable oil. Take the wood out and notice how there is oil stuck on the wood. Clean the wood with the dish soap. Record results and determine if dish soap will be a good solution to an oil spill.
  
  

Detergent as a Pollutant on Plant Growth

• Investigate the effect of detergent on living organisms using plants. Test the amount of detergent that is needed in order to affect the growth of a plant. This project will help students to gain an understanding of the toxic effects of pollution on living organisms. Obtain at least four plants in pots. One of the plants will serve as a control. Create three detergent solution. Start with one gram of detergent added to ten milliliters of water. Increase the detergent to five grams and ten grams for the remaining solutions. Add one of each solution to a plant. Remember to label the plant. Place all of the plants in an area with plenty of sunshine. Observe and add the solutions to the plants for seven days. Take plenty of pictures for your project. Plants that had the detergent should have died. Take note of the time length for each plant's survival.
  
  

Water Pollution Activity

• Polluting the land leads to water pollution. A science activity that can be conducted is creating a watershed model. Watershed models are available online for students to use to investigate their own local watersheds. In addition, the models illustrate how pollution on land enters streams, lakes and rivers. Furthermore, the models illustrate how polluted water is a potential source for their own drinking water. After the model is constructed, students can brainstorm ways to prevent the leakage of pollutants into the watershed.