Clean Air

The objective of this project is to raise awareness of rural communities in the countries covered by the project about the problem of air pollution, its reasons, health effects and possible solutions that can be taken by inhabitants in order to mitigate the problem and reduce local air pollution. This objective will be achieved by providing training for teachers from rural areas in the topic of air pollution and equipping them with education materials that they will use to teach their pupils and students about the problem. The project focuses on rural areas due to the fact that public awareness of the problem is much lower among rural communities compared with inhabitants of larger cities. Therefore, the project responds to awareness and education gap that is the most serious within rural areas.

Pollution

When the term "air pollution" is uttered, it brings to mind urban environments, replete with car-packed freeways and belchingfactories — not small villages and farmed fields. But rural areas are subject to local sources of pollution as well as secondary effects from urban areas—which means the total global health burden from air pollution falls largely on rural populations.In rural areas in the EU, where little monitoring is done for health assessments, there may be a significant understatement of the health impact of outdoor air pollution and the benefit of control. People living in rural areas face health threats posed by:

  • thatgenerated in the home by using solid fuels for heating and cooking;
  • "ambient"outdoor pollution from rural and urban sources;

Many households in rural areas use solid fuels, such as coal or biomass, for heating and cooking. The pollution caused by such fuels has well-established health effects.

Outcomes

Module 0

Introduction

Module 1

What pollutes the air

Module 2

Impact of the pollution on human health

Module 3

Solutions for clean air environment

Module 4

Prevention against pollution

Module 5

Education about clean air protection

Module 0: Introduction

  • Teachers understand aspects on air pollution and the quality of atmospheric environmen
  • Teachers have knowledge on regulations of air pollution

Module 1 - What pollutes the air

  • Children describe the ways humans modifies the environment
  • Children characterize gaseous and particulate matter pollution together with identification of sources
  • Children listen and talk about experiences
  • Children make contributions to small and large group discussions
  • Children understand that air pollution is not visible

Module 2: Impact of the pollution on human health

  • Children have knowledge on the impact of air pollution on human health
  • Children acquire data through senses
  • Children communicate data and information in appropriate form

Module 3: Solutions for clean air environment

  • Children develop scientific inquiry and critical thinking
  • Children clearly understand, interpret and explain aspects regarding the air pollution and also are able to estimate, assess and come to conclusions
  • Children are able to construct explanations

Module 4: Preventing air pollution

  • Children make wise choice in the use of natural resources and recycling of materials
  • Children know safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices
  • Children are able to communicate valid conclusions

Module 5: Education about clean air protection

  • Teachers know where to find the best practices on teaching about air pollution
  • Teachers apply various materials in their study courses

Partners