This term, students in Year 10 Biology are participating in a citizen science project called Explorem l’Aire (Exploring the Air in Catalan). It is an educational and community-focused project designed to raise awareness about air quality and empower students to take an active role in improving the environment around their schools. Developed by the Government of Catalonia with the support of ISGlobal, the initiative brings together scientific learning, citizen participation, and local action to address one of today’s most pressing urban health challenges: air pollution.
How did we find evidence on the Air Quality Around the School?
At the heart of the project is a hands-on investigation of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in school environments. Using simple passive diffusion tubes, students learn how to measure this pollutant, which is strongly linked to road traffic and known to negatively affect respiratory and cardiovascular health. By collecting and analysing real data, participants become young citizen scientists contributing valuable information that can help local authorities improve environmental policies and protect community health.
Science to Improve our City: From Awareness to Action
The project also provides teachers with a comprehensive guide that combines two powerful methodologies: Service Learning (ApS: Aprenentatge Servei) and Citizen Science. Students not only gain scientific skills—such as designing a research question, interpreting results, or understanding environmental indicators—but are also encouraged to reflect on how their findings can benefit their neighbourhoods. Through this process, they build responsibility, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of planetary health and sustainability.
Ultimately, Explorem l’Aire aims to transform awareness into action. So far, the students have done basic background research, they have deployed and collected the passive samplers and we are currently in the analysis phase. The next steps involve the processing and interpretation of the results in order to propose possible solutions to improve air quality. By connecting learning with real-world impact, the project empowers the younger generation to envision and contribute to cleaner, healthier cities.
by Núria Garcia and Sinead Kehoe, Science Department
