As the long days of summer come to a close, the excitement of back-to-school season is building for students, parents, and educators. Spokane Clean Air is no different, as the back-to-school season brings about the re-introduction of multiple agency programs. From resources to help educators and students care about the air, to programs designed to improve local air quality, here’s what we have planned for the season ahead.
No-Idle Zone
Vehicle idling contributes to air pollution, which can cause increased health risks. A great deal of idling takes place at schools when vehicles consistently line up to drop off and pick up students. This is concerning because children are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, including vehicle exhaust because their lungs are not fully developed.
The voluntary No-Idle Zone program encourages drivers in drop-off/pick-up areas at Spokane elementary and middle schools to put the brakes on unnecessary vehicle idling and contribute to better air for our kids and our communities. The No-Idle Zone program is provided to participating schools free of charge, including signs and distributable materials.
If you are interested in implementing the No-Idle Zone at a school near you, please visit here. If you’d like to learn more about the program before signing up, we are available to present to parent-teacher associations, school staff, and administrators.
Kids Making Sense
Air quality sensors are great tools for educators to engage students in exploring air pollution topics. This is why the Kids Making Sense (KMS) program has been successfully deployed in hundreds of classrooms in the United States, including Spokane County.
Spokane Clean Air introduced the Kids Making Sense program locally during the 2022-2023 school year and we’re bringing it back this school year!
“We are thrilled to be able to introduce the Kids Making Sense program to more middle and high school educators this year, with funding secured to provide teacher training and classroom kits for their schools,” said Anneka Pawlak, Public Information Specialist with Spokane Clean Air.
“Any time we can help students understand how their daily routines and actions can impact air quality at a time when they are developing lifelong habits, is a win,” added Pawlak.
We are now recruiting teachers to register for the six-hour training being offered twice this fall: October 22/24 (two 3-hour evening sessions) and on Saturday, November 2, 9 am -3 pm. Educators completing the training receive:
- A Kids Making Sense classroom kit (valued at $2600, one per school).
- A $200 stipend (for up to two teachers per school)
- The opportunity to earn six STEM clock hours.
To learn more about the program and to register, click here.
