Mechai Bamboo School Collaboration

The Mechai Bamboo School in Buriram province, Thailand, follows a unique education model where students contribute to their communities in place of paying tuition. Building on this model of service, the school is now using outdoor air quality monitors to track pollution in a region heavily affected by seasonal crop burning and forest fires. By setting up monitors in key locations, students and staff can observe real-time changes in air quality and better understand how these events impact daily life in their community.

For the students, the monitoring network has become both a learning tool and a way to give back. They take part in workshops, analyze data, and share their findings with villagers, raising awareness about the health risks of air pollution and the importance of early warnings during the burning season. With support from AirGradient and Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mechai Bamboo School has turned monitoring into a hands-on form of education and community service, strengthening its role as a hub for resilience and lifelong learning.