CAG has worked with pupils at 21 schools in Southampton, training them up to be citizen scientists and monitor air pollution.
Funded by Southampton City Council, this project aimed to raise awareness about air pollution and what simple steps young people can take to breathe in cleaner air.
This project involved:
- Educational workshops in 21 schools about air quality;
- Drawing people and places that can be included in the map;
- Citizen science air pollution monitoring using portable, real-time monitors, where pupils were taken out to measure and compare pollution levels on different roads near the school.
- Producing 10 designed maps for different areas of Southampton, with colour codes roads to show which are more / less polluted.
- Launch assemblies, supporting pupils to talk about what they found out when they did the monitoring.
- Giving all pupils a map to take home, and a banner version was put up on the school gate.
One teacher said: “The banner and map (sent out in a parent mail) have raised awareness of air pollution in the city and have got families talking about active travel etc.”
A pupil commented: It has been really interesting to do something which has a real impact on our health and our lives and to see ways that we can make things better.
The client said: This project was delivered on time, and they went beyond the specification, completing more designs than requested. The team worked well with the children and kept them engaged and enabled them to learn whilst enjoying the topic. The banners were to a high standard and easy to understand for both children and the local community. I would really recommend CAG consults as they were communicative, knowledgeable and hard working.