Testing Methodology for Intermediate Category :

    Ozone testing will be done on three consecutive days beginning on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.  Participants may choose to perform 1-5 ozone tests simultaneously on the same day (one test in each testing site within the quadrant).  All ozone tests will be one hour tests.
    Atmospheric tests will be done concurrently with the ozone testing, at the center of the test quadrant.  If the participants happen to be G.L.O.B.E. teachers, they may choose to use their G.L.O.B.E weather station as the center of their test quadrant.  Teachers may choose to test for any or all of the following atmospheric conditions as they relate to ground level ozone:

Testing Protocols:

The following protocols are recommended for the grade level given. You know your own students' abilities, so the ultimate decision about the level at which they collect data will be up to you, the teacher. Where applicable, all measurements are in metric units.

Recommended Intermediate Category:

                                               Materials Needed:       2 thermometer (1 indoor, 1 outdoor)
                                                                                    rain gauge
                                                                                    Ecobadge refill filter papers
                                                                                    timer
                                                                                    Ziploc bag
                                                                                    non-mercury  barometer
                                                                                    Ecobadges (optional)

Current Air Temperature and Local Time readings are to be done with the outdoor thermometer from a location as close to the center of the testing quadrant as possible, as long as there is no shade falling on the thermometer during the testing time. Allow the thermometer to remain in place until there is no fluctuation in the reading (approximately 5 minutes). Temperature is to be taken each day of the testing period, between 11am and 2pm. If you are a G.L.O.B.E. participant, you may use your weather station data. Enter your data in degrees Celsius and record local time of day when readings are taken.

Barometric Pressure readings are to be taken using a standard barometer. Students will read the barometer to determine changes in atmospheric pressure. The barometer is to be placed indoors next to a thermometer in a convenient, protected area . Once pressure reading is made, if it is read in English measurements, it must be converted to metric measurements. Data will be entered in millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg).

Precipitation readings are to be taken with a rain gauge over a 24 hour period, each day of the testing period. The gauge is to be placed as close to the center of the testing quadrant as possible, as long as buildings do not interfere in any way with an accurate accumulation of moisture. (There must not be any run-off into the gauge.)  Again, if you are a G.L.O.B.E. participant, you may use your weather station data. Enter your data in centimeters of liquid precipitation.

Tropospheric Ozone Level readings are to be taken using the Ecobadges. The filter papers may be cut in half before use. Attach the filter paper to a fixed object outside in area(s) you have designated within your testing quadrant. (The number of testing sites you entered on your Demographic Data Entry form determines the number of filter papers you place within your quadrant.) The filter papers need to remain in fixed locations for exactly one hour, then collected and compared to the color chart provided by the manufacturer of the ozone badges. Record date, time and exposure level on the back of the filter paper. Enter your data in parts per billion and record the time of the reading.

Note: Eco filter papers must remain dry! Store the unused filter papers in double sealed vinyl bags to avoid color changes prior to use. Store the exposed filter in one of the slots found on each side of the inner pouch of the plastic sleeve that came with the filter papers.
 

Percent Cloud Cover determination is to be made from an open area where your field of view is not obstructed. You will not need the horizon in view for this observation. Look overhead and determine the amount of cover that the clouds provide. You will decide if the sky is clear with 0% cloud cover, scattered up to 50%, broken  from 50% to 99% (nearly completely overcast with some beams of light or blue sky showing), and overcast at over 99% (completely overcast with no blue sky or beams of light penetrating). Enter your data in percentages:  0% cloud cover, 1%-50% cloud cover, 51%-99% cloud cover, or 100% cloud cover. Choose the percentage you think is the most accurate. Do NOT enter a percentage range. EXAMPLE: Enter 25%, not 1-50%.
 
Visibility readings are to be done from the testing site at the center of the quadrant, with an
open, horizontal field of view- even from above ground level if possible. To do the
readings, the teacher must accurately determine in advance the approximate distance in a
straight line from where the students will be standing to objects on the horizon. The objects' distance from the observer's location must be measured in kilometers. The teacher may find
a map of the area with a  mileage/kilometer  scale helpful in deciding what landmarks
she/he will use for this investigation. Students will determine if they are able to see the
predetermined objects. The visibility data will be recorded in kilometers to the farthest
object visible.

Note:  It is probable that the horizon will not interfere with visibility up to a distance of 20
kilometers, provided the observer is on level terrain.
 
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