This air quality experiment gets kids thinking about pollution. This environmental learning activity allows children to see the difference in air quality from one place to another. 

Supplies

• A few clear Jar or cup
• Petroleum Jelly

How to Perform an Air Quality Experiment

Before you start this air quality experiment, introduce kids to the idea of air pollution. Chances are most kids will be familiar with the basic concept of pollution, but this air pollution video from learning junction does a great job of quickly reviewing air quality in a way kids will understand.

To start put a fine layer of petroleum jelly inside a clear jar or cup. Take the cup outdoors and place it at least three fee off the ground. This makes sure that nothing gets kicked into the cup. I recommend hanging it from something like a gutter or deck railing. When you hang it from one of these places you are less likely to pickup dirt, leaves, or other items that may skew the results of your experiment.

Next apply a fine layer of petroleum jelly to the inside of another cup and find another place to hang the cup. You want the cup to be very far from the original cup. For example, you may put one at your house and one at school.

After you have hung your cups let them sit for a week. Then make an observation, and record your findings. In this case it may mean taking a photograph of each cup and comparing results. Let the cups sit a while longer and check them again after a month, again, record what you observed.

Comparing Air Quality and Discussion

After a month analyze your findings. Compare the cups from different areas. Is their more gunk in one than another? The answer will be yes, but why? Many things influence air quality, somethings that may influence the results of this air quality experiment may include proximity to railroad tracks, woods, or the street.

Have kids think about where else they could put a cup to test air quality. Have them consider where in tow will the air be the cleanest, and where it will be the most pollution. Discuss why. If you have the time and interest from the kids try it out!