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Education and Outreach

New Educational Videos

In support of at-home environmental education during these uprecedented times, members of DAQ's outreach team have developed educational videos featuring:

Division of Air Quality
What we do and why we do it. (Older Students)
History of Air Pollution - Part 1
The history of air pollution, early measures to correct it and disasters resulting from air quality problems. (Older Students)
History of Air Pollution - Part 2
Past issues of air pollution and the progress that has been made. (Younger Students)
DAQ Outreach Demonstrations
Demonstrations of air pollution control devices and acid rain mitigation. (All Age Groups)
Why is Coco Orange?
A read along with Coco and his friends as they solve a mystery and learn about air quality. (Recommended for Ages 4 - 8)

Overview

Due to their complexity, air quality issues are often difficult to convey. In 2006, the Division of Air Quality formed an "outreach" team to explore more contemporary ways of communicating with the public. The team includes personnel from all sections and job classifications of the agency. Expenditures are paid for from the DAQ's Air Pollution Education and Environment Fund, funded by enforcement settlements.

West Virginia Division of Air Quality Outreach Displays
History of our Outreach Team.

To schedule speakers, find out more about the outreach displays below, or for more information please see the contact section.

Contact

Nicole Ernest
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Air Quality
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: 304-926-0499 x41256
Email: Nicole.D.Ernest@WV.gov

Outreach Displays

Designed by DAQ engineers, the ***"Smoke Simulator"*** demonstrates the difference between controlled and uncontrolled emissions of a coal-fired boiler. A short presentation explains the Clean Air Act's evolution starting with the 1948 smog disaster in Donora, Pennsylvania, and ending with the simulator. Dry ice is used to simulate "pollution" and small fans, with and without a filter, are used to draw the "pollution" through two large acrylic stacks.

The ***"Crank Generator"*** was designed to allow participants to manually provide power for both an incandescent light bulb and a CFL or LED bulb. By the end of the demonstration they can physically feel how much less energy CFL and LED bulbs use and equate that to reducing their own electric demands and costs. This is a powerful - no pun intended - message, not only how to save money, but how to protect the environment by using less electricity.

Energy Efficient Model House — Staff converted a child's dollhouse into an ***Energy Efficient Mode House*** complete with solar panel. This display gives us the opportunity to discuss alternative energy and energy conservation in the home.

The ***"Solar Race Track"*** demonstrates an alternative energy source. A solar panel charges a battery pack and allows a slot car race track to be used both indoors and outdoors. This has proven to be one of our most popular outreach displays to date.

Our ***"ESP Machine"*** demonstrates how an induced electrostatic charge controls smoke at a coal-fired power plant by removing the particulate matter, such as dust and smoke, from the stacks.

In December, the DAQ turns the entire DEP Headquarters into an outreach display. The ***"DEP Energy Tree"*** allows the public to provide power, via hand crank, to light up a traditional 100-bulb incandescent tree versus an 800-plus light, 35-foot LED tree, draped to the side of the DEP building, bringing home our core outreach message - "Save Money, Save Energy, Save the Environment."

Additional Outreach Display Projects and Documents

Glass Comparison
This display was built to illustrate how different types of window glass can save energy.
Tire Inflation
This display was designed by DAQ personnel to demonstrate the importance of proper tire inflation. Properly inflated tires help ensure maximum gas mileage. Properly maintained vehicles use less gas and produce less pollution.

Roof Color
This display was built to illustrate the concepts that color affects heat and light absorption and that insulation blocks heat transfer.
Wind Turbine Diorama
This display was built to illustrate some of the renewable energy sources available in West Virginia.

Other Education Resources for Teachers and Students

U.S. EPA: Learning and Teaching About the Environment
This website provides K-12 students and educators with access to quality homework resources, lesson plans and project ideas for learning and teaching about the environment. Environmental education (EE) is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues that enhances knowledge, builds critical thinking skills, and helps students make informed and responsible decisions.

National Energy Education Development (NEED)
NEED trains and assists teachers in harnessing the energy of the classroom - the energy of the students.

National Biodiesel Education Program
Energy education for ages 8-12; high school chemistry using biodiesel.