Reading-Flemington Intermediate School (RFIS) students are taking a closer look at outdoor air quality thanks to an ongoing partnership with goHunterdon and sixth-grade teacher Lisa Coster.
Jodi Bettermann, Sustainable Hunterdon Specialist at goHunterdon, recently met with RFIS Student Council members to talk about air quality, its effects on human health, and how everyday transportation choices play a role in air pollution.
During her visit, students participated in a hands-on activity to observe particulate matter in the air. They placed petroleum jelly-coated index cards around the school grounds, left them out for a week, and then examined the collected particles to understand what’s in the air they breathe.
This simple but effective experiment served as a visual introduction to air pollution and laid the groundwork for a larger initiative. In December, an outdoor PurpleAir air quality sensor was installed at the school, providing real-time data through the PurpleAir network and the U.S. EPA’s PM2.5 air quality map.
Students will analyze the sensor data and collaborate with goHunterdon to develop strategies to improve local air quality. These may include awareness campaigns about clean air, anti-idling efforts, and documentation of their findings and actions.
The project builds on environmental work started by Mrs. Coster’s students last year as part of the GLOBE Program, a nationwide initiative that equips educators with tools to teach Earth science and scientific observation. Their project, “Does car idling in rural New Jersey affect air quality?”, earned a “Spirit Award” at the GLOBE Northeast Student Research Symposium.
Committed to advocating for cleaner air, RFIS students plan to use the collected data to participate in the EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program and to support the school’s application for Sustainable Jersey certification.
For more information about goHunterdon’s Air Quality Programs, https://gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/air-quality/