Classrooms

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District has an expansive public outreach program. Clean Air Classrooms is our education effort for K-12 students. The program includes an annual Clean Air Art/Calendar Contest in addition to classroom visits and presentations. Air Quality educational resources for teachers are available below. To request a class presentation or District participation in a school event, contact Brielle Jamros at BJamros@ysaqmd.org or (530) 757-3650.

2026 Clean Air Art Contest

Twelve students from across Yolo and northeastern Solano counties were recently recognized as winners of the 2026 Clean Air Art Contest by the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District Board of Directors and staff. Through exceptional artwork created with colored pencils, crayons, markers, pens and paint, the students used their artistic talents to bring this year’s theme, “Heroes for Clean Air,” to life.

The District received 80 submissions from students in transitional kindergarten through ninth grade this year, representing 16 local schools across the region. The contest serves as one of many ways the Air District engages local communities while promoting awareness of the connection between air quality, public health, and the environment.

The 2026 Clean Air Art Contest winners are listed below:

Transitional Kindergarten – Second Grade

1st Place: Kira Rehe, First Grade, Our Lady of Grace, West Sacramento
2nd Place: Lillian Ong, Second Grade, Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, Davis
3rd Place: Hiro Bissell, Second Grade, Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, Davis
4th Place: Olive Zhang, Second Grade, Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, Davis

Third Grade

Tie for 1st Place: Ophelia Watkins, Robert E. Willett Elementary School, Davis
Tie for 1st Place: Elena Rodriguez, Orchard Elementary School, Vacaville
2nd Place: Ava Rehe, Our Lady of Grace, West Sacramento
3rd Place: Olivia Elaine Brown, Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, Davis

Fourth – Ninth Grade

1st Place: Elizabeth Chen, Eighth Grade, Frances Harper Junior High School, Davis
2nd Place: Lydia Foo, Ninth Grade, Frances Harper Junior High School, Davis
3rd Place: Ryan Rose Lavelle, Fifth Grade, Shirley Rominger Intermediate School, Winters
4th Place: Mariam Mahmoud, Ninth Grade, Da Vinci High School, Davis

2026 Contest Theme: Heroes for Clean Air

This year’s theme, “Heroes for Clean Air,” encourages students to showcase how they can help improve air quality in their communities. Whether it’s riding a bike, planting trees, or reducing pollution, we want to see your creative ideas brought to life.

The contest will recognize 12 winners. Winners will receive Amazon gift cards ($30 for first place and $25 for second and third place) and will have their artwork featured on stickers and other materials distributed throughout the community.

Classroom presentation always available upon request! Email Brielle Jamros at BJamros@ysaqmd.org

2025 Clean Air Art Contest

The 2025 Clean Air Art Contest winners are listed below.

Place	Student	Grade	School
1st	Amara G.	3rd	Patwin Elementary
1st	Lucia M.	3rd	Shirley Rominger Intermediate
1st	Zack H.	4th	Dixon Montessori Charter
1st	Elizabeth C.	7th	Francis Harper Junior High
2nd	Elena R.	2nd	Orchard Elementary
2nd	Colette T.	3rd	Cesar Chavez Elementary
2nd	Yovanni V.	5th	Shirley Rominger Intermediate
2nd	Vom I.	6th	Willett Elementary
3rd	Cameron L.	2nd	Korematsu Elementary
3rd	Emery C.	5th	Korematsu Elementary
3rd	Elise H.	3rd	Birch Lane Elementary
3rd	Lilah C.	6th	Willett Elementary

Teacher Resources

Lesson Plans

The EEI has lesson plans, teaching units, and other resources that help blend the environment into the teaching of the traditional academic subjects of science, history, and English language arts. https://www.californiaeei.org/

US EPA, Environmental Education – https://www.epa.gov/education

US EPA, Learning and Teaching About the Environment – https://www.epa.gov/students

US EPA, Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators – https://www.epa.gov/students/lesson-plans-teacher-guides-and-online-environmental-resources-educators