Project Descriptions

Better Air Schools select three or more projects to achieve Better Air School status. These varied projects can be combined to meet the individual needs of schools, including educating families with high asthma rates about Georgia's Smog Alert system; relieving carpool lane-generated traffic congestion, and helping to improve environmental education.

Anti-Idling Campaign

An Anti-Idling Campaign that encourages parent drivers and school bus drivers to turn off their engines when dropping off or waiting for students, decreasing harmful emissions. The project includes in-ground signage, promotional and educational materials, as well as an anti-idling proclamation and petitions.

BAIR, The Better Air Bear

BAIR, the Better Air Bear musical assembly, a 50-minute interactive in-school production that teaches children basic air quality and health information, and provides them with ideas on how they can "repair the air." Teachers receive a resource book filled with games, puzzles and "The BAIR Facts" to reinforce lessons introduced.

Smog Alert Awareness

A Smog Alert Awareness program that increases parent, teacher and student awareness of the Smog Alert system and air pollution in Georgia. The program includes educational fliers and newsletter articles, Smog Alert posters and signage for in school display, and sign up forms to get families registered to receive Smog Alerts.

Air Quality Lesson Plans

Air Quality Lesson Plans for grades 4-8 include two to three lessons per grade unit and provide an engaging, challenging component to support environmental education efforts.

Walk There! For Cleaner Air

Walk There! For Cleaner Air encourages walking among students living within one mile of school. The project focuses on creating Walk to School Days or Weeks, and provides educational and promotional materials, as well as giveaways for student participants. Walk There! can also be used as a school fundraiser.

Ride There! For Clean Air

Ride There! For Clean Air encourages more students to get on the bus and out of cars that contribute to traffic on and around school grounds. Ride There! uses raffles and classroom challenges to encourage trial use, along with educational materials on bus safety and the other benefits of bus ridership.