World Environment Day / Air Pollution Sticky Catchers
Air Pollution Sticky Catchers
Children make sticky cards, hang them in different spots around the service, then return days later with magnifying glasses to compare how much dust and grime the air carried.
How to run it
- Have each child smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly in a square on a card and label it with a location.
- Hang the cards in varied spots, such as near the car park, in the garden, indoors and by an open window.
- Leave them for two to five days, keeping one card sealed in a bag as a clean comparison.
- Collect the cards and compare them with magnifying glasses, ranking dirtiest to cleanest.
- Discuss what might cause the difference and simple ways people can reduce air pollution.
You will need
- white card
- petroleum jelly
- string or pegs
- markers
- magnifying glasses
- zip-lock bag
Make it easier or harderYounger children can simply sort cards into clean and dirty; older children can draw a grid on each card and count specks per square.
SafetyHang cards out of reach of passing traffic and wash hands after handling the jelly.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 2Children predict, observe and compare results over time, building inquiry skills while thinking about their surroundings.
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