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Tips for Teachers

The Valley Air District has a free curriculum designed for K-5 entitled “Brown Sky, Blue Sky: It’s Up To You”. Download the order form. You may fax the completed form to (559) 230-6111.

See the curriculum for more information, or contact the Outreach Communications Department at (559) 230-6000 or send an email to Janelle.Schneider@valleyair.org.

For middle and high school classrooms the District provides the “Clean Air Challenge” curriculum. Teachers must attend a one-day workshop in order to receive this curriculum. For information on the curriculum or the workshop please contact the Clean Air Challenge office at www.clean-air-challenge.com, or the Air District's Outreach Communications Department at (559) 230-6000 or send an email to public.education@valleyair.org.

Valley Air District Outreach and Communication Representatives are available to speak at civic meetings, schools, environmental and health fairs and other public events and meetings. Representatives are happy to speak on a variety of Air Quality related issues. To request a speaker use this form, or contact the Outreach and Communications Department at (559) 230-6000. We suggest giving at least two weeks notice prior to any event.

Online Resources for Educators

• The AIRNow Website: www.airnow.gov
  The site offers daily AQI forecasts as well as real-time AQI conditions for over 300 cities across the US, and provides links to more detailed state and local air quality websites.
• The California Air Resources Board: www.arb.ca.gov
• Online Weather School: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/
  Introduce your students to the wonders of meteorology through JetStream, the National Weather Service Online Weather School in conjunction with NOAA. It explains thing sin easily understood terms and is an outstanding student resource.
  The site is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather and weather safety. The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject; beginning with global and large scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, could formations, thunderstorms, lightning, etc. You can even check the seven-day weather forecast and view radar and satellite images for your area. Interspersed in JetStream are “Learning Lessons” which can be used to enhance the educational experience.
• Smog City 2: www.smogcity2.org
  Smog city is an interactive air pollution simulator that shows how your choices, environmental factors, and land use contribute to air pollution. Free of charge.
• General PowerPoint on San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Issues
  Feel free to use the PowerPoint located here when discussing air quality issues with your students. It will be updated periodically

Note to educators from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

Air quality is a serious issue in the San Joaquin Valley. Teaching your students about the many causes of our poor air quality and how we all must help to make the air cleaner can protect their health and help them and their families make choices that can improve air quality. Together we can make a difference! If you have more questions regarding air quality, please contact the Outreach Communications department at (559) 230-6000 or email us at public.education@valleyair.org.