Sustainability Series - Investigating types of pollution with JCB

Published 16th September 2025

The ‘Inspired by Industry’ JCB context is supported by a dedicated Investigative Evaluative Activity (IEA) unit available for members, all about the different types of pollution. This classroom resource helps students explore the causes, types and effects of pollution, while encouraging them to design practical solutions to tackle these issues.

The unit covers how harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), released during manufacturing processes, contribute to global warming. Students are guided to think critically about how these pollutants affect the environment and what can be done to reduce their impact.

Supporting your teaching with adaptable activities

Adaptable to a range of classroom applications, the IEA allows students to experiment with both conceptual and practical outcomes. From simple test rigs that evaluate waste compactor designs to exploring waste collection and disposal processes, the activity supports creative problem-solving rooted in real-world challenges.

This Investigative Evaluative Activity is available exclusively for members, alongside additional Focused Tasks (FTs) and curriculum units to support your teaching. The core classroom resource remains free to access, making it easy to introduce industry-inspired learning into your lessons.

Give your students the opportunity to investigate pollution, explore its global impact, and create innovative solutions with the JCB ‘Inspired by Industry’ supporting unit.