Washington’s Smoke Season – Integrating the Impact of Air Pollution in K-12 Curriculum

This curriculum resource guide was created to supplement Global Classroom's educator workshop,

Washington's Smoke Season: Integrating the Impact of Air Pollution in K-12 Curriculum

As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, the resulting smoke and air pollution present an escalating threat to public health—particularly for Washington’s most vulnerable communities. In response, this workshop and resource guide were developed to empower educators with evidence-based strategies for integrating air pollution, environmental justice, and global competence into their teaching.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Stephanie King, Educator at Granger High School and our 2024 World Educator, in partnership with Ryan Hauck, Global Classroom Director at the World Affairs Council, for designing and facilitating this important workshop. Stephanie’s unwavering dedication to environmental education and student empowerment continues to inspire, and we are proud to celebrate her contributions both in and beyond the classroom. She brings dynamic leadership to her school and the broader educational landscape.

This guide is designed to support classroom exploration of three key themes:

• The Burden on Vulnerable Communities
  Investigate how air pollution disproportionately impacts marginalized populations and explore how to incorporate environmental justice into classroom dialogue.

• Wildfire Smoke in Washington’s Valleys
  Examine the intersection of climate change, wildfire frequency, and air quality, using real-world data and Washington-based case studies.

• Integrating Air Pollution Across Subjects
  Discover interdisciplinary approaches for incorporating air quality and environmental themes into science, social studies, and language arts curricula.

Together, these resources aim to deepen students’ understanding of environmental challenges while encouraging critical thinking, civic engagement, and global awareness.