What is the A.I.R Project?

Ask. Investigate. Resolve. - more simply known as A.I.R. - is a project that gives you and your friends the tools to make our world a healthier place to live. By carrying out this scientific research project on your campus, you not only make your school a healthier place, but ultimately create a healthier world for everyone.

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What does A.I.R. entail?

Once you have rallied your friends, your team participates in a training with one of our staff at your campus. Your team then evaluates the campus, noting things that are both good and bad for the air and your health. You might even get the opportunity to conduct an air quality test using a state of the art air quality sampler! At our annual Youth Leadership Summit, you will participate in clean air activities, share your findings and learn what others found on their campuses. At the Summit, your team will work with mentors to determine realistic improvements that can be made on and around your campus to improve the air quality.

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Why is A.I.R. important?

You spend a lot of time on your campus, so it’s important that it’s a healthy place to be! The Sacramento Region is still high on the list of the most polluted metropolitan areas in the nation. Air quality directly affects our health, so it’s important to identify ways and take action to protect ourselves.

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Why do I want to be a part of A.I.R.?
  • Make the world a healthier place, starting with your own campus
  • Flexibility – we work around your schedule!
  • Create awareness and become a clean air advocate
  • Look good on your college applications
  • Gain skills in leadership, research, training, planning/organizing, team work and social responsibility
  • Get rewarded at the end of the project with an incentive and certificate as a thank you for your clean air efforts

 

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How do I get involved?

Are you interested in finding out how your campus measures up? Contact Anne at (916) 444-5900 ext. 205 or annei@sacbreathe.org to get involved with this project!

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What schools have participated in the A.I.R. Project?

Bella Vista High School, Country High School, Davis Senior High, Dixon High School, El Camino Fundamental High School, Folsom High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Luther Burbank High School, Mira Loma High School, Natomas High School, Rio Vista High School, River City High School,  Rocklin High School, Sacramento Country Day, Sheldon High School, Will C. Wood High School, Winters High School, Woodcreek High School and Woodland High School.

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How can I find out where my school stands?

THINGS TO KEEP
IN MIND

When carrying out mitigations, be sure to include the school administration in the process, but be persistent to make sure your ideas are carried through.

When thinking of ways to keep the air in a classroom clean, remember to think about what type of classroom you are talking about. For example a wood shop class could have a dust vacuum to clean up sawdust and keep it out of the room and students’ and teachers’ lungs.

When thinking about planting more trees on campus be sure to check to make sure the ones you are planting are the best for air quality. You can get more information on this issue from the Sacramento Tree Foundation.


USEFUL LINKS

Sacramento Tree Foundation

Sacramento AQMD

Yolo/Solano AQMD

Placer County AQMD

 SMUD

 SABA

Walk Sacramento

Preliminary Campus Air Quality Site Evaluation Check List:

1. Major Roads. Look at the major roads surrounding your school. Is there a lot of traffic? How close is this traffic to the buildings on campus?
How does this affect air quality? If there is not a lot of traffic and it is not close to the windows and doors of your buildings then you will not be breathing in the exhaust fumes from the vehicles on the road.

2. Bike Lanes/ Bike Racks/ Crosswalks. Are there bike lanes around your school? Do they feel wide enough to be safe enough to use? Are there enough bike racks on campus to securely store bikes? Are there enough crosswalks to safely meet student needs?
How does this affect air quality? If there are sufficient and safe bike lanes, bike racks, and crosswalks around and on campus students will be more inclined to ride their bikes or walk to school instead of driving.

3. Bus Stops / School Bus Terminals. Do you think there are enough buses, bus stops and bus terminals to meet student needs? Are buses idling for too long, especially near windows and doors? Assembly Bill 2644 states that school and transit buses may not sit idle for more than 5 minutes per hour unless heating or air conditioning issues arise. It requires bus drivers to turn off their engines within 100 feet of a school and restart their engines no more than 30 seconds before departing.
How does this affect air quality? If there are more convenient buses going to the schools, more students will ride the buses to school instead of driving, resulting in cleaner air around the school. If buses idle less,they are conserving energy and are also emitting less exhaust themselves.

4. Parking Areas. How many parking lots does your school have? About how many cars can they hold?
How does this affect air quality? If there are less parking lots, students will find it more inconvenient to drive to school and will help to keep the air cleaner by not driving.

5. Trees. Does your campus have only a few trees or a lot of trees? Do they provide adequate shade for students and buildings during lunch, P.E., before and after school?
How does this affect air quality? Trees serve to provide shade and make the campus a “cool” more energy efficient area.

6. Cleaning/Maintenance Supplies. When walking the parameter of your school or looking inside the classrooms do you smell chemicals or other cleaning supplies?
How does this affect air quality? If chemicals are properly stored (both indoors and outdoors) the students will be breathing healthier air.

7. Dumpsters. Are dumpsters kept near outdoor air intakes? Are they emptied often?
How does this affect air quality? If dumpsters are kept away from windows and doors and are emptied frequently the students will not be breathing in fumes from the trash cans.

After collecting your information summarize your findings. Based on your findings ask yourself the following questions:

What can you or your school do to improve the air quality on campus?

What is your school already doing right in terms of air quality? Go the extra mile and present your findings to the principal and other school leaders.

CLICK HERE to let us know what you found on your campus!

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What is Pass Less Gas?

How much do you drive? Not only do cars contribute to global warming, but they also release harmful particles into the air that we breathe. When we inhale the particles they can travel deep into our lungs and cause some serious health problems.

The Pass Less Gas campaign was designed by youth volunteers to get people out of their cars – whether it’s biking, taking public transportation, walking, carpooling, or anything else as long as it helps pass less gas!

Feel free to contact Anne at (916) 444-5900 ext. 205 or annei@sacbreathe.org for more info. We’d be happy to send you a Pass Less Gas Starter Kit, which includes tips on how to start your own club, pins, posters and more to help you spread the word.

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