SEI
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Stories
  • About Us
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Our Team
    • Media
    • Get Involved
    • Careers
    • Partners
    • Our Board
    • Our History
    • Contact
  • Give

Stories

How Air Quality Education can Impact Student Perspectives on Community Solutions

3/16/2021

3 Comments

 
By Giselle Serafin
Picture
Smoke from the 2020 California wildfires. Photo: NASA
Throughout the devastating 2020 fire season in California and beyond, students felt the direct impact of extreme poor air quality in real time. This experience brought up a lot of questions, curiosity, and concerns about the impact of air pollution on themselves, their families, and their communities. 
 
In January SEI worked with 7th grade science classes at Black Diamond Middle School in Antioch, California to bring SEI’s Air Quality curriculum to their classes. Through this curriculum, students are introduced to air quality science, air quality monitoring the intersection of air quality and environmental justice, and air quality policy. To make the classroom content more engaging, students learn about local air quality issues and solutions employed by nearby community organizers. Wrapping up their air quality lessons, these students were guided through an action planning project to help improve the air quality in their community. 
 
After Black Diamond students completed their air quality project, SEI followed up with a survey to understand what they took away from learning about air quality and its impact on their community. When asked “Do you believe that as an individual, you have the ability to reduce air pollution? Why or why not?,” students responded with a nuanced understanding of the roles of individuals, communities, and professionals in implementing air pollution reduction strategies. Although students were ready to take on individual actions like biking or carpooling, many also noted that it is up to everyone to take part in change. Here are some student reflections on the question: 
 
“As an individual, I cannot reduce air pollution enough for it to help the community and Earth. But as a community, our chances are much higher”
 
“I do believe that I have the power to reduce air pollution. I believe this because an individual such as myself can come up with ideas to reduce pollution, and then share those ideas with the community.”
 
“Yes, because there are jobs that can help. You can go to college and major in this type of stuff.”
 
“Yes I do, I can help step by step and help make a difference if I encourage others to do the same!”

 
Students also reflected on the question “Why is air pollution a concern in your community?” Students from Antioch shared their experiential knowledge that factories, wildfires, and transportation are major contributors to poor air quality in their community. Common responses were around health impacts of air pollution, such as lung and cardiovascular damage.
 
112 students responded to the survey. Below are graphs showing student responses to the following statements “I make an effort to be knowledgeable about air pollution issues” and “I am interested in reducing air pollution.” 72% of students agreed with the statement “I am interested in reducing air pollution.”
Picture
Picture
Summary of responses to student evaluation survey
Although there are many inspiring youth climate activists for our students to look to, it is important for them to understand that not all of the burden for solutions falls on them. Individual actions are important, but showcasing community change that is already happening is essential to instill hope for students. Black Diamond Middle School’s students showed deep care for their community in their reflections, thinking bigger than themselves. They displayed their hope that with community involvement positive change can happen.

Learn more about SEI's curriculum offerings or request the air quality curriculum​ here.
3 Comments
Anthony Johnson link
11/20/2021 06:10:30 pm

🚨🚨
We Must Not Take Air We Breathe For Granted. The Air We Breathe Is Very Important To Sustain Our Lives.
The Air We Must Be Clean And Fresh.
#OperationBreatheFreshCleanAir
Operation Breathe Fresh Clean Air"
About EnviroKlenz"
EnviroKlenz is a leading indoor air quality company that makes various air purifier models, including EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System and EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System Plus. Its patented earth mineral technology was developed over two decades by research scientists and was originally designed for use by the US military to Destroy Biological Germ Chemical Warfare, Viruses, and Toxic Industry Chemicals. EnviroKlenz’s Air Purifiers use safe earth minerals to capture and destroy airborne toxic and noxious gasses, particulates, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other allergy triggers. Since no abrasive chemicals, masking agents or toxic fillers are used, EnviroKlenz’s products are safe for the environment and to use around family and pets. Timilon Corporation is the parent company of EnviroKlenz® , Get Your Enviroklenz Today.
https://enviroklenzairpurifiers.com/enviroklenz-mobile-air-system-promotion/?ap_id=SOSSTSE

Enviroklenz will help with the indoor air we breathe for our schools homes and businesses.

🚨🚨
An EnviroKlenz Air System Plus unit was placed in a sealed test chamber and a microbial suspension was aspirated into the room. An EnviroKlenz Air System Plus was equipped with an EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge, HEPA filter, and 2 UVC bulbs Technology"
*Tested at a third-party lab, Intertek, in a sealed test chamber measuring 1000 Square Feet.

Fresh Clean Air for Homes Schools and Businesses"
#OperationBreatheFreshCleanAir
#EnviroklenzAirPurifiers
#CleanFreshAirSchools
#CleanFreshAirHomes
#CleanFreshAirBusinesses
#KeepEveryoneSafe
Get Your Enviroklenz Today"
https://enviroklenzairpurifiers.com/enviroklenz-mobile-air-system-promotion/?ap_id=SOSSTSE

Reply
Anthony Johnson link
11/21/2021 02:22:20 am

🚨🚨
We Must Not Take Air We Breathe For Granted. The Air We Breathe Is Very Important To Sustain Our Lives.
The Air We Breathe In Must Be Clean And Fresh.
#OperationBreatheFreshCleanAir
Operation Breathe Fresh Clean Air"
About EnviroKlenz"
EnviroKlenz is a leading indoor air quality company that makes various air purifier models, including EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System and EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System Plus. Its patented earth mineral technology was developed over two decades by research scientists and was originally designed for use by the US military to Destroy Biological Germ Chemical Warfare, Viruses, and Toxic Industry Chemicals. EnviroKlenz’s Air Purifiers use safe earth minerals to capture and destroy airborne toxic and noxious gasses, particulates, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other allergy triggers. Since no abrasive chemicals, masking agents or toxic fillers are used, EnviroKlenz’s products are safe for the environment and to use around family and pets. Timilon Corporation is the parent company of EnviroKlenz® , Get Your Enviroklenz Today.
https://enviroklenzairpurifiers.com/enviroklenz-mobile-air-system-promotion/?ap_id=SOSSTSE

Enviroklenz will help with the indoor air we breathe for our schools homes and businesses.

🚨🚨
An EnviroKlenz Air System Plus unit was placed in a sealed test chamber and a microbial suspension was aspirated into the room. An EnviroKlenz Air System Plus was equipped with an EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge, HEPA filter, and 2 UVC bulbs Technology"
*Tested at a third-party lab, Intertek, in a sealed test chamber measuring 1000 Square Feet.

Fresh Clean Air for Homes Schools and Businesses"
#OperationBreatheFreshCleanAir
#EnviroklenzAirPurifiers
#CleanFreshAirSchools
#CleanFreshAirHomes
#CleanFreshAirBusinesses
#KeepEveryoneSafe
Get Your Enviroklenz Today"
https://enviroklenzairpurifiers.com/enviroklenz-mobile-air-system-promotion/?ap_id=SOSSTSE

Reply
rockvalleyservices link
2/24/2022 12:27:01 am

Other maintenance issues can trigger a host of health problems including asthma and allergies that increase absenteeism and reduce academic performance.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    The SEI Team

    Environmental education and workforce development experts share stories from the field

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All
    Board Spotlight
    Career Pathways
    Climate Corps
    Education Resources
    Energize Careers
    Energize Colleges
    Energize Schools
    Fellow Spotlight
    School Of Environmental Leadership
    School Sustainability
    Youth Action

    RSS Feed

Get Involved

Mission

Careers

Give

Picture
Picture

Contact Us

Phone: (415) 507-2181

​Email:
sei@seiinc.org

​SEI Headquarters

100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite 124
San Rafael, CA 94903

Additional Locations

Greater New York
Los Angeles
North Carolina
​Oregon

​Sacramento
San Diego
Seattle

Connect

Subscribe to the SEI quarterly newsletter to get involved and receive updates
subscribe

SEI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Strategic Energy Innovations © ​2022.   Privacy Policy   Terms of Use
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Stories
  • About Us
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Our Team
    • Media
    • Get Involved
    • Careers
    • Partners
    • Our Board
    • Our History
    • Contact
  • Give