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Students take virtual field trips to explore air quality research sites and investigate the causes, effects, and solutions to nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park during this module.
Context for Use
The four DISCOVER-AQ modules can be completed independently, sequentially, or extended into a larger unit of study.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Describe the main types of air pollution that affect air quality in our National Parks.
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Develop a basic understanding of air quality monitoring location and methods used in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Explain current and potential causes and effects of nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Evaluate solutions to reduce the sources of atmospheric nitrogen that impact Rocky Mountain National Park.
Teaching Materials
Description
The “Know Your AQ” curriculum applies the 5E Instructional Model:
- Engage (10 minutes) - On the Air Video
Engage students in understanding how our national parks are affected by air pollution.
- Explore (15 minutes) - RMNP AQ Video
Explore the air quality monitoring stations in Rocky Mountain National Park and learn about the air pollutants and the methods that park staff and scientists use to measure them.
- Explain (25 minutes) - N-Dep. Evidence
Students construct their understanding of how individual contributions to air pollution affect overall air quality.
- Elaborate (30 minutes) - Connecting the N-Dep. Dots
Students deepen and expand their understanding of air quality by applying their understanding to how air pollutants affect visibility.
- Evaluate (20 minutes) - N-Dep. Past, Present & Future Reflection
Informal assessment of students’ understanding of the current trends and future projections of nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park.
