08/04/2026
🌬️ Turning Today's Air Quality Into a STEM Lesson!
When the wildfire smoke kept us indoors today, our campers didn't just stay inside—they became scientists!
While the outdoor Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered around 160 (Unhealthy), our classroom air quality monitor consistently measured an indoor AQI between 3 and 11 (Good) throughout the day.
In fact, the indoor AQI remained around 3 for most of the day. We noticed it briefly increased to around 11 when families arrived and the doors were opened during drop-off, then quickly returned to its usual low reading as our air filtration system continued running.
Using this real-world situation, campers learned:
🔬 What the Air Quality Index (AQI) measures
💨 How HEPA air filtration systems help remove tiny smoke particles from the air
📈 How to monitor live air quality data and observe changes throughout the day
It was exciting to see campers ask questions, make predictions, and connect science to something happening right outside our classroom windows.
At Cascade Enrichment, we believe some of the best learning happens when students explore the world around them. While outdoor conditions weren't ideal today, our campers stayed safe, had fun, and turned an unexpected situation into a hands-on environmental science lesson.
We're grateful to have invested in high-quality air filtration so our classrooms remain a safe, comfortable place to learn—even during wildfire season.
