The O-Zone

(and other Air Quality Issues)

"What's this 'ozone hole' thing over Antartica?"
"I heard it's related to Global Warming."
"So all ozone's good, right?"
     Explore these questions and more!
 "It's like a real scientist project!"
--Kyle
"We are scientists."
--Angela
"You didn't teach us about ozone,
you helped us to learn."
--A Block

Purpose

The main purpose of this project is to incorporate Ozone as a theme throughout the year to engage middle school students in science and allow them to explore a topic as actual scientists do, and thereby give them a feel for real science, rather than textbook science, and hopefully increase their interest in science.  The project is currently being run in Converse Middle School, Palmer MA, in Miss Tara Kisiel's 6th grade Science classes, with the assistance of Miss Andria Schwortz, UMass Astronomy Graduate Student and NSF Teaching Fellow.  

Exploration 

Students first performed two short experiments in their school yards: the first determining the hottest and coolest locations in the school yeard; and the second to compare ozone levels in these locations.  Local ozone levels were found using the Vistanomics Ecobadge ozone test strips (or a quarter of a test strip to save money), link at the bottom of the page.  Both were approached scientifically in that the students wrote lab reports and discussed their hypotheses and conclusions.  Students were allowed ownership by choosing their own locations for the testing stations (where the thermometers and ozone strips were placed).  Temperatures were compared quantitatively (numerically), while ozone levels were compared qualitatively (color).  

The classes are also collecting archived and current data online from a local weather station (Chicopee) and ozone monitoring station (Amherst).  These data include temperature, humidity, air pressure, weather conditions (sun/clouds/rain), and ground level ozone layers.  The data are being entered in an Excell spreadsheet for future use.
The students are definitely enjoying these early stages of the project, as the quotes at the top of the page show.  Pictures of the students in action are also available.

Questions

Students are now forming their own questions regarding ozone.  Some of the students' questions are listed below (in the process of editing).  Students have been grouped according to the questions they wish to research, and throughout the semester they will slowly pursue these questions, culminating in a project in April.  The quote at the top of the page by student Kyle was prompted by this process.  
Even the teachers have their own questions: Miss Kisiel's is "What effects does ozone have on the body?" and Miss Schwortz's is "How are ozone levels different on the weekends from weekdays?"

Outside Links

Ozone Information

Sources for Ozone-Sensitive Papers

STEM Connections
NSF GK-12
Page created and maintained by Andria C. Schwortz
created 9 July 02; updated 28 Oct 02
Background (Earth and atmosphere) c/o
Solarviews & NRL