Pupils from 25 primary schools across Greater Manchester have been working scientifically to investigate air quality in their local area, thanks to a partnership between The University of Manchester and the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science.

The ‘Great Science Share Clean Air Challenge’ is designed by the University’s Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) to inspire 7-11 year olds to think and work as scientists during British Science Week (11-20 March).

Each school is partnered with a scientist from the University or local industry, providing more than 3,000 pupils with access to first-hand expertise throughout their project.

“Engaging directly with scientists and STEM visitors has been a real challenge over the pandemic, so it’s fabulous to have so many volunteers to support children in this way and share how science works in real life.” said Dr Lynne Bianchi, SEERIH Director.

The children use a simple investigation to observe and measure airborne particles in spaces around their school. A programme of professional development for the teachers as well as a £500 grant from the Royal Society supports the schools to engage fully and for the project to have legacy within the school. Groups hang small sheets of laminated graph paper coated with sticky Vaseline around their school grounds and local area for a set time period, and then count the particles they collect.

Shelley Kinman, Assistant Headteacher at St Mary’s R.C. Primary School in Swinton, Greater Manchester, said: “We’re very eco-friendly at St Marys and the Clean Air Challenge seemed like a really good way of getting all the children involved in British Science Week. It’s great to see how each year group works through the science investigation and also how they use and interpret the data they collate.”

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