Is That Smoke Affecting Me? Using Crowdsourced Public Data to Explore Air Quality During Smoke Events
Developed by EPA scientists, this lesson guides students to use real-time crowdsourced data from the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and the PurpleAir sensor network to investigate air quality during wildfire smoke events, identify data trends, and make health-protective decisions.
No air sensor is required—students complete the lesson entirely using freely available online data.
The lesson includes an instructor guide, participant guide, discussion slides, and student worksheets.
Given the increasing frequency and geographic reach of wildfires, this lesson connects directly to an environmental crisis many students are already experiencing firsthand.
The use of free, publicly available crowdsourced data makes it applicable to any classroom nationwide, and the health-protective framing naturally supports students as informed civic actors who can take action to protect themselves and their communities. Additional resources on air quality and air sensor technology are available in this Air Sensor Toolbox.
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Air quality is a good indicator of environmental health and climatic conditions. Use the resources below to engage learners in discussions about how local, regional, and global environmental concerns impact the air we breathe. From simulations to data collection using air quality sensors, these resources provide engaging approaches to teaching about air quality. View more resources in the Air Quality PRO Picks collection >