In Montclair: Bullock School Student Scientists Study Air Quality

Want to know the current air quality in Montclair this spring? Look no further than the Charles H. Bullock School.

As part of a program intended to teach children about environmentalism while benefiting the community, students at the Charles H. Bullock School in Montclair have launched a study of outdoor air quality in the township.

Beginning the first week of April, the school will be participating in the Air Now Outdoor Air Quality School Flag program in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each day through the end of the school year, the school will raise a flag that corresponds to how clean or polluted the air is.

The color of the flag will match the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI):

• Green – Good Condition
• Yellow – Moderate
• Orange – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
• Red – Unhealthy
• Purple – Very Unhealthy

“This school-wide effort will inform the school and the surrounding Montclair community, of the day’s air quality and related safety designation,” stated Beverly H. D’Andrea, math and science curriculum support teacher.

In preparation for their study, students gained additional understanding of how to think like a scientist through assemblies with Dr. Clement Alo of Montclair State University’s Environmental Management doctoral program.

“This air study relates directly to the Bullock magnet theme of teaching environmental responsibility, minimizing waste, and ways to live with a sustainable future as the goal,” stated D’Andrea in a release. “In addition, through the EPA program, we hope to inspire our students to be lifelong learners by making meaningful connections to the world around them.”

Photo caption: Charles H. Bullock School Principal Nami Kuwabara, 3rd from left, and student scientists from the school stand poised to raise a green flag, which indicates good air quality.

Send Montclair news releases and tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com