The Fordham Summer Leaders Academy has introduced a hands-on STEM program known as FRESH Air. This innovative program provides high school students the unique opportunity to study air quality and climate impact under the guidance of a Fordham Physics professor. The central objective of the program is to deepen students’ understanding of the connection between climate change, air quality, and health. This is achieved by providing students with hands-on experience working with pollution sensors.
An important aspect of the FRESH Air program is the acquisition of practical skills. Students are taught to construct and operate air quality sensor platforms, which aids in strengthening their knowledge of STEM principles. However, the program doesn’t stop at imparting practical knowledge. It also aims at fostering environmental awareness within students’ communities. The goal is to inspire students to tackle environmental issues proactively, making them responsible citizens of the planet.
Fordham University researchers have taken an exciting step toward community involvement by partnering with local middle and high schools for a citizen science project, which is also a part of the FRESH Air initiative. This project is primarily aimed at collecting air quality data and educating communities about climate change. The FRESH Air project gives students the opportunity to build and utilize air quality sensors. This hands-on involvement enables them to gather indoor and outdoor pollution measurements in a practical setting.
The research conducted as part of the FRESH Air initiative has brought forward some significant findings. It highlighted a significant link between air quality and respiratory diseases, thereby underscoring the connection between climate change and health problems. This critical insight points to the urgent need for improving air quality and mitigating climate change effects for improved public health.
Furthermore, the project also revealed disparities in air quality between schools in low-income and high-income communities. This finding underscores an imbalanced distribution of pollution, with poorer communities bearing the brunt of lower air quality. This aspect of the research underlines the need for equitable distribution of resources and the importance of environmental justice.
The FRESH Air program at the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy is a groundbreaking initiative. It not only provides students with practical STEM skills but also educates them about the pressing environmental issues of our time. The program inspires students to become proactive agents of change in their communities, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.
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