What’s in the Air?

Sometimes, because of accidents or other disasters, there are dangerous bacteria, viruses or chemicals in the air. These particles can make people sick or hurt their lungs. In order to keep people safe, scientists and engineers have designed devices, called detectors, to set off an alarm when they find dangerous particles. Students will design a device to detect the presence of dangerous particles in the air and sound the alarm!

What’s in the Air? TEK8 Student Handout

The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.

What’s in the Air? Facilitator’s Guide

This Facilitator’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.

Telling the Story Video

The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.

Design Challenge Video

The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.