Air sensors make air pollution more visible. Sensors are often small, portable, and easy to use featuring digital displays, data visualizations, and/or crowdsourced maps. Access to this real-time data can help users better understand air pollution and ways to reduce their exposures. Realizing the opportunity to raise interest and awareness of air quality issues, while simultaneously understanding that air sensors remain inaccessible to numerous potential users despite their reasonable cost, EPA’s Office of Research and Development in collaboration with EPA Regional Offices piloted a set of air sensor loan programs to promote environmental education.
This talk will briefly highlight the pilot air sensor loan programs that EPA launched through partnerships with local organizations in EPA Regions 5, 9, and 10. Additionally, newly developed resources to support these programs will be highlighted including 5 fully developed hands-on lesson plans that can be used for group or individual instruction for elementary through adult learners. Other educational efforts will also be shared. The presentation will discuss lessons learned and best practice suggestions for others interested in developing and offering similar air sensor loan programs in the future.