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Student and Teacher-led Data Collection using Air Sensors during the DISCOVER-AQ Study
Citation:
Duvall, R., R. Long, M. Beaver, AND Jim Szykman. Student and Teacher-led Data Collection using Air Sensors during the DISCOVER-AQ Study. Air Sensors International Conference (ASIC), Oakland,CA, September 12 - 14, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Many areas around the U.S. have persistent air quality problems which impacts attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). State/local/tribal agencies need accurate and cost-effective tools to measure air quality. This research evaluates lower cost air sensor technologies and the feasibility of incorporating citizen science in collecting sensor measurements to understand spatial variability of air pollutants. This research is important as it advances our knowledge of sensor technologies and promotes citizen science involvement in research. This research also addresses EPA’s goals of collaborating with impacted stakeholders and providing ways for the public to engage in research studies. Groups that would be interested or could apply the results from this research include communities, state/local agencies, EPA Regional Offices, and other federal agencies.
Description:
Citizen scientists can contribute valuable information to research studies through activities such as data collection and data analysis. The emergence of low-cost air sensors has stimulated more citizen science involvement in collecting air measurements, complementing citizen’s desire to be more engaged and aware of air quality within their local community. In September 2013, a low-cost air sensor project involving citizen scientists was conducted in the Houston, Texas area under the umbrella of the NASA-led DISCOVER-AQ Earth Venture Mission. Teachers and students at seven local schools collected ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measurements using the CairClip sensor (O3/NO2 version and the NO2 version) for approximately one month. The participating schools were within 18 miles of a monitoring site containing regulatory-grade air quality measurements for comparison. Results indicated that the data collected by citizen scientists had similar trends compared to the nearby regulatory-grade monitoring site measurements. The schools provided supplementary measurement sites to understand the spatial variability of O3 and NO2 in the Houston area. Additional results of this study will be discussed along with lessons learned and recommendations for collaborating with students and teachers on low-cost sensor projects.