There's Life in Smoke. Here's How We Know.

• This video describes recent scientific research confirming that microorganisms can live in smoke.
  
• The video explains how research in this new field of study includes investigating what kinds of microbes are present in smoke (including harmful ones) which can help people understand how smoke from wildfires can affect human health. 

Positives

• This is a great video to highlight how scientific practices (like asking questions, planning and carrying out investigations, interpreting data, and communicating findings) have real-world applications. 
• The video can also inspire students because it shows that the findings from one high school student led to the creation of an entirely new scientific field of study.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• This video talks a lot about microbes and microorganisms. It may be helpful for students to already have some understanding of microbes (bacteria, fungal spores, protists, viruses). 
  

Differentiation

• This video would be a great addition to a health class or a science class about biology, microbiology, or environmental science. 
• Connections can be made with climate change due to the increasing risk of wildfires, droughts, extreme heat events, and changing precipitation patterns related to global warming and climate change.
• Advanced students could read the research paper published by Sarah Mims and outline their own scientific paper to research another location where microbes might be living.
  
• Similar resources include this video about wildfires and air pollution in Nevada, or this video about the effects of aerosols on humans.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.