Introduction to Air Quality and Citizen Science

/ Module 1
Air quality and citizen science

Module 1

Introduction to air quality and citizen science

This module gives a general introduction on air quality, why it matters and what we can do about it. The purpose of this module is to encouragecitizens to learn more and take action – using hackAIR and other tools.

Version 1.0 | December 2017

1.Introduction

This module gives a general introduction on air quality, why it matters and what we can do about it. The purpose of this module is to encourage citizens to learn more and take action – using hackAIR and other tools.

This core module gives general information on air quality, including main sources of air pollution and impacts on health and the environment. It also covers how to measure air quality and what we can do to improve it.

It is best to combine this module with an introduction to the hackAIR platform (module 2) and/or a hands-on session to build your own sensor or explore air quality in your neighbourhood (module 3 and 4). On its own, this module takes about 60 minutes.

To extend this module, workshop organisers can invite guest speakers for additional information on the local situation or specific aspects. If desired, a member of the hackAIR consortium can be recruited as a speaker. In addition, the hackAIR advisory board, network of interest and the wider network of contacts are good sources if you need inspiration for speakers.

2.Tips for facilitation

Keep it short and simple.

Air quality is a broad topic and can be approached from a variety of different angles. For this module we made a small selection to make the information tangible and manageable for participants. We picked sources that are relevant for the hackAIR platform. As workshop organiser you are free to add relevant information for your target audience. In that case make sure to mention the source or research behind the facts.

Engage participants.

Instead of just presenting the facts about air quality, you can make the workshop more interactive, engaging and relevant for participants. A couple of methods to activate and engage participants include:

A(n online) quiz / group poll
Conversation tools like pair sharing and 1-2-4-all
A reflection method

These are only some options. Feel free to use other facilitation tools you already know or ask the hackAIR support team for additional suggestions.

If there is a guest speaker, we advise to start with the quiz/poll and allow time for discussion and reflection among participants during and after the presentation. Invite the guest speaker to discuss this and come up with ideas her/himself.

3.Overview of the workshop

Introduction
Theory part 1: Facts on air quality in Europe
Air pollution in Europe - short overview
Main sources of air pollution
Impact on health & environment

Reflection round
Air quality & I: What can I do to reduce (my exposure to) air pollution?
Theory part 2: Air quality measurement & citizen science

Measurement of air quality
Options to improve air quality measurement
Air quality & citizen science
hackAIR

Air quality & I: What could I do with better air quality data?
Reflection & next steps: What? So what? Now what?

4.Full description of the workshop

4.1. Introduction

Slide 1: Cover slide

Slide 2 & 3: Introductions team and participants

Slide 4: Programme of the workshop

Slide 5 & 6: Quiz

Introduce yourself and briefly introduce the purpose of the workshop. If applicable, lead a round of introductions (name and one reason you’re interested in air quality).

Start the workshop with a quiz on air quality to activate participants and get them involved. Questions that could be asked are:

Where is air quality better? (using the pictures in slide 5)
Where does air pollution come from?
Where do you find the best air?
What’s the most polluted city in Europe?
When was the air quality best / worst in your city last year?

Feel free to include more questions linked to the location and target audience! For this activity we encourage to use an online tool to visualise the answers by participants immediately, e.g. kahoo.com or or alternatively use post-its.

4.2.Facts on air quality in Europe

Present a selection of facts about air quality and air pollution in Europe.

Slide 7-9: Air quality in Europe

Slide 10: Sources of air pollution

hackAIR focuses on the most complex and damaging pollutants, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5). For more details and information, we refer to our website and relevant sources:

hackAIR:
European Environmental Agency:
European Commission:
European Environmental Bureau:
World Health Organization:

A guest speaker might broaden this part and add relevant facts.

4.3.Reflection round

Slide 11: Reflection round

After the presentation, check in with the audience: Have you heard any new things? What are you surprised about? What would you like to know more about? Any other questions?

Steer the conversation towards air quality in the current location: Where are the air pollution hotspots? What are the main sources? Relevant problems?

4.4.Air quality & I: What can I do to reduce (my exposure to) air pollution?

Slide 12: Air quality & I exercise

The next step is an exercise to share ways to take action on air quality. Participants are asked to come up with a list of useful steps to reduce (their exposure to) air pollution. We’re using a method called 1-2-4-all:

Step 1: Individually brainstorm what you as individual can do to reduce (your exposure to) air pollution and write down key words (1 minute)
Step 2: Pair up with a partner, and share your list of ideas and discuss (2 minutes)
Step 3: Get together with another pair, and share your best ideas with the other group members. Make a list of the five most important (or actionable) ones (4 minutes)
Step 4: Back in plenary, ask all groups to share their actions and collect them on a Flipchart. Compare and discuss with the list of actions included in the hackAIR platform.

4.5.Theory part 2: Air quality measurement & citizen science

Slide 13: Measurement of air quality

Slide 14: Options to improve air quality measurement

Slide 15: Air quality monitoring & citizen science

This section focuses on air quality measurement and citizens’ science in Europe. A guest speaker might elaborate and add relevant examples and opportunities.

4.6.Air quality & I: What could I do with better air quality data?

Slide 16: Air quality & I exercise

In this section, participants can ask themselves: what is the added value of better air quality data for me? How can I use better data in my daily life, my work, my action group, my campaign...? We suggest to make this an active brainstorming activity in pairs. The facilitator asks the main questions, gives some example or inspiration and invites the participants to discuss in pairs. After 30-60 sec for personal consideration participants give a suggestion one by one. For example, partner 1 writes down or shares one action, partner 2 action another action, partner 1 action 3, etc. At the end the facilitator collects a couple of actions suggested by participants and suggest some more actions or inspiration if needed.

4.7.Reflection & next steps: What? So what? Now what?

Slide 17: Reflection

Slide 18: Closing

Before the facilitator closes the workshop or continues with the next module, we suggest to allow time for questions and a short reflection in small groups (+/- 4 participants). The facilitator asks the first question (What?) and within the group each participant shares his/her observations or learnings. After a while the facilitators ask the second question (So what?), participants share in groups, etc. At the end the facilitator could ask for some short reactions (1 sentence).

What? What have you learned about air quality and citizen science? What facts or observations stood out?
So what? Why is that important (to you, to your family, community, colleagues, city, action group...)?
Now what? What actions make really sense now? What will you do?

5.PowerPoint

A PowerPoint presentation/template is available at