Preparation for and resources for teachers
In order to prepare for the investigation into atmospheric pollution in our area, identify two locations one from a busy road/junction or next to a major road and another from a quiet location such as a back or front garden near a road just used for local traffic.
Find shrubs with the same type of leaf at each location for the investigation. Laurel leaves are particularly good, as they tend to have shiny leaves that dirt from the air can cling to and are easier to wipe with damp cotton wool. However, any leaf which has a large surface area should work. Make sure the leaves are not poisonous.
Record the location of where the leaves were found on a map of the local area (labelled A and B). The idea is for the children back in the classroom to establish which area each of the leaves came from.
Health and safety
Advice from CLEAPSS says that with common sense and adequate supervision the activity is OK, ie:
· do not eat the leaves;
· do not eat cotton wool or place in nose/ears etc.
Additional precautions to minimise the risk of children coming into prolonged contact with the dirt from the leaves:
· the children should wear disposable gloves;
· wash their hands after the experiment.
Resources
Leaves from two different source locations
Plastic bags to put leaves in and the bag labelled A or B
Cotton wool
Disposable gloves