aq2014 air quality sensors in schools
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Air Quality Sensors in Schools: Open Data for Public EngagementR.R. Graves1, P. Peterson1, K. Grant2 and R.J. Leigh1
1The Earth Observation Science Group, Space Research Centre, The University of Leicester, University Rd, Leicester, UK2The Department of Chemistry, The University of Leicester, University Rd, Leicester, UK
Open Data Motivations
Outreach Motivations
This work is being undertaken as a Panton Fellowship. Panton Fellowships are based on the Panton Principles which encourage scientists to put scientific data in the public domain.
“Science is based on reusing, criticising and building on the published body of scientific knowledge. For science to function effectively, it is crucial that scientific data is open: i.e. free to
use, reuse, and redistribute.“
Why Open Air Quality Data?
• Air Quality is a prime candidate for a project using open data owing to the huge impact that poor air quality can have on the public.
• It is estimated that poor air quality can cost Europe up to €800bn per annum (Brandt. et.al 2013) and with an increasing global population and urbanisation this figure is likely to continue to rise without successful implementation of mitigation strategies.
• Despite the huge health and economic impacts of poor air quality it remains an issue with very low public understanding.
• For mitigation strategies to be effective policy makers need support from the tax payers and thus dissemination of information relating to air quality needs to improve. Hence, access to and the promotion of open air quality data and education through outreach activities are vital in order to public understanding of this issue and lead to improvements in air quality.
• Science is often perceived as unappealing (Koren and Bar 2009, Sjøberg and Schreiner 2005, Stefansson 2006). The image of a scientist plays a significant part in students’ perception of science.
• Mead and Metraux (1957) found that the popular perception of a ‘scientist’ among high school pupils was a white male with facial hair wearing eyeglasses and a laboratory coat, working with laboratory equipment and chemicals in a laboratory. Little appears to have changed over time, with a recent study by Koren and Bar (2009) finding a similar outcome.
• Noh and Choi (1996) also found that there was a major gap between school students’ perceptions of a scientist—as clever, hard working and inventive—and the image they have of themselves.
• It is possible to dispel these misconceptions by encouraging interaction between school students and scientists via outreach and educational activities.
Project Aims• To install at least 3 Air quality sensors in primary schools by
the end of 2014.
• For pupils to collect supplementary meteorological data manually and save the data on an interactive learning environment.
• To run workshops every half-term in schools with gifted and talented pupils analysing the air quality and meteorological data.
• All data to be hosted on a publically available webpage to widen public engagement.
• The sensors are weatherproof and allow automatic upload to a project webpage.
• Sensors for NO2, NO, CO, T(VOCs) and noise.
• Weather stations will also be installed alongside the monitors.
• Sensors are also under development that aim to be an affordable, open source air quality sensor.
• These sensors will be designed with several applications in mind including mobile sensors, high density sensor networks and personal exposure monitors.
Project Outputs• All data will be uploaded in NRT to the
Air Quality Group web page (http://www.leos.le.ac.uk/aq/ca4s.html)
• Regular blog posts with updates will be hosted on the OKF Open Science WG blog.
• Every school term data analysis workshops will be run with the school children involved in the project.
Acknowledgements and Contact DetailsThe authors would like to acknowledge the Panton team, the OKFN and OKF Science Working Group for funding and supporting this work. As well as the NCEO and the schools involved in the project.Contact: For further details please contact Dr Rosie Graves [email protected]