Resources for Educators

We are available to engage K-12 students in Spokane County with classroom presentations. We can adjust our lessons to fit your needs so don’t hesitate to ask us for something specific.

To discuss and schedule a classroom program, please contact Anneka Pawlak at 509-477-4727, ext. 125 or APawlak@spokanecleanair.org

Air sensors are great tools for educators to engage with their students around the topic of air quality!

With the assistance of a state grant and support from three local business sponsors, Spokane Clean Air implemented the Kids Making Sense® program in eight pilot schools during the 2022-23 school year. Read more in this pilot program report. Since then, we’ve held additional teacher training workshops.

Special thanks to these participating organizations and sponsors:

• Washington State Department of Ecology
• Spokane Public Library and Spokane County Library District
• Spokane Public Schools
• Cheney School District
• Medical Lake School District
• West Valley School District
• Avista
• Central Pre-Mix/Inland Asphalt
• Hotstart Thermal Management

We implement a statewide, award-winning No-Idle Zone program for area elementary and middle schools. Read about the program and the materials we provide to schools. Call or email to sign up for the program, 509-477-4727, ext. 125 or APawlak@spokanecleanair.org.

We know how important it is to engage students in environmental education and we provide the following resources to help.

Climate Change Resources for Educators and Students

This EPA webpage has various Climate Change educational resources for educators and students. Other resources are being reviewed and will be added soon – please check back!

3 minute newsletter – a short one-page newsletter that provides resources for you to explore with your students in grades 3-5. *Please Note: The 3-minute newsletter is temporarily on-hold due to staffing issues. Below are past issues for your use!

Get to know Spokane Clean Air

Air monitoring in Spokane County

Understanding temperature inversions

Air quality and asthma

Get involved!

Care about the air on Earth Day and every day

More ways to stay involved

Other resources:

Nora & Wes: A Quest for Clean Air coloring storybook is geared toward K-4th graders. It includes puzzles and coloring pages for students to learn about air quality.

Nora & Wes: Airo’s Quest for Clean Air a graphic novel geared toward 5-8th graders. It is a step up from the coloring storybook and features a comic style that is fun and educational for an older audience. To request hard copies of these materials, email LWoodard@SpokaneCleanAir.org.

Why is Coco Red? Follow Coco and his friends on a new adventure as they learn about wildfire smoke and how it can affect air quality and health. This book is for all children, especially those with asthma, and their caretakers

The Air We Breathe is a colorful picture book is designed to introduce Earth’s atmosphere and its importance to life on Earth – appropriate for students in grades K-4.

Air Cleaning Allies Activity Book is a colorful book designed for children ages 7+ to raise awareness of air cleaning strategies, including filtration. The activity book follows the Air Cleaning Allie superheroes as they help a family learn about and deal with sources of indoor particle pollution. This book is provided by the EPA.

Our Air Quality Scavenger Hunt helps kids explore the air. 

Join Arthur and his friend Buster as they discover more about asthma at PBS Kids.

This webpage provides lesson plans and resources organized by environmental topic.

Instructions to Build Your Own Particle Sensor. This activity will teach the basics about particulate matter air pollution and electronics. 

More resources from other agencies, including NASA.

2025 ‘We Share the Air’ Poster Contest

This year, to celebrate May being Clean Air month, we hosted a poster contest with the theme ‘We Share the Air.’

Below is a video showcasing our 2025 finalists and runners-up. The finalists and runners-up were awarded prizes donated by local businesses and teams. Thank you to Roller Valley Skate and Event Center, Garland Theater, the Spokane Indians, the Spokane Chiefs, Flying Squirrel, LaserMaxx, Spokane Gymnastics, Cat Tales Wildlife Center, Mobius Discovery Center, Wild Walls, and Pizza Pipeline for their generous donations!

2024 Expo 50 Poster Contest

Last year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Expo ’74, we partnered with the Spokane Conservation District, the Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System, and the Lands Council to host a poster contest with the theme “Make a World of Difference! Care for our water, land, and air.” Below is a collage of the 2024 poster contest finalists.

We are a participating agency supporting the EnviroKids Club. EnviroKids’ Club is open to K-6 grade/school-aged children residing in Spokane County. Membership is free and includes a quarterly newsletter full of information, activities and invitations to local environmental/outdoor activities. Members can earn points to “purchase” special prizes. 

We work with scouting, campfire and other non-school based organizations within Spokane County. Call 509-477-4727 ext. 125 to discuss and schedule an air quality program that fits your needs.