Year 5 and 6 pupils have been studying the importance of clean air and minimising pollution, and engaged in the  Saffron Walden Clean Air Project as part of their studies. To aid in their investigations, teams of students were given 'plume flow' air quality monitoring devices which they took with them around the town to analyse and compare air pollution in different places at different times.

From being able to understand the difference between cooking with windows open or closed to comparing the air quality at night and during the daytime, the monitors have allowed the children to gain a fundamental understanding of the causes of air pollution, and a new perspective on the small changes needed to help reduce it.

Catriona Debnam-Sharp, the teacher leading the project at Dame Bradbury’s Junior School, said: “Air quality is an issue that affects everyone in our community so it’s really important that the next generation is armed with the knowledge and skills to tackle the problem. The children have loved using their monitors in all kinds of different situations and we now have data from across the town as well as further afield. The pupils were so excited about their monitors that some took them along when venturing as far as Chelmsford, Cambridge and even Lapland.

“Sustainability is built into everything we do here at Dame Bradbury’s and initiatives such as these really help to give our pupils hands on experience with smart technology and an empowered  perspective on how they can protect their local environment and our planet as a whole.”

The Saffron Walden Clean Air Project is a government funded campaign that aims to increase awareness about the sources of air pollution and how to improve air quality through collaboration with businesses, schools and communities.