A Holistic Approach to School Environmental Health
Transform Air Quality into Learning Opportunities
Deploy professional-grade air quality monitoring that serves dual purposes: safeguarding student health while enriching STEM curriculum. Monitor CO2, PM2.5, TVOCs, NOX, temperature, and humidity with monitors students can assemble themselves.
Studies show that reducing CO2 from 2,100 to 900 ppm can improve test scores by up to 15%. Poor air quality affects concentration, increases absenteeism, and impacts long-term health outcomes. Transform your classrooms into healthier learning environments while giving students hands-on experience with real environmental science.
The Science Behind Air Quality and Learning
Research demonstrates that indoor air quality directly impacts academic performance. A Harvard study found that cognitive function scores doubled when CO2 levels decreased from 1,400 ppm to 550 ppm. Another study in California schools showed that improving ventilation rates from 5 to 20 cfm per student increased math and reading scores by 2-3%.
Students spend over 1,000 hours annually in classrooms where CO2 levels routinely exceed 2,500 ppm - well above the 1,000 ppm threshold for optimal cognitive function. High particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is linked to reduced academic performance, with a 10 μg/m³ increase associated with a 1.9% decrease in test scores. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) from cleaning products and materials can cause headaches and difficulty concentrating.
AirGradient monitoring systems provide the data schools need to identify and address these invisible barriers to learning. Our open-source approach ensures transparency and allows schools to integrate air quality monitoring into their educational programs, creating a generation of environmentally aware citizens equipped to tackle tomorrow’s climate challenges.
Enriching STEM Education Through Real-World Application
Transform air quality monitoring into engaging hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for environmental challenges.
Build, Learn, and Take Ownership
Educational design: Students aged 11-18 can assemble professional-grade monitors without soldering
Hands-on learning: Learn about sensor technology, data collection, and environmental science through assembly
Student engagement: When students build the monitors themselves, they become invested in understanding and improving their environment
Curriculum Integration Made Simple
Cross-disciplinary application: Use real-time data for physics, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science lessons
Real-world analysis: Students work with actual data from gas diffusion, pollutant reactions, and environmental patterns
Advanced customization: Open-source platform allows students to modify code, create custom dashboards, and develop research projects
Expert Support from Scientists and Advocates
Expert team: Research scientists and community advocates provide free support for school projects
Comprehensive assistance: Online presentations, technical assistance, and guidance on interpreting data
Global community: Forum connects schools worldwide, enabling knowledge sharing and collaborative research projects
Supporting Healthy Building Certifications
AirGradient monitors help schools achieve and maintain prestigious building certifications that demonstrate commitment to student health and environmental stewardship.
WELL Building Standard and RESET Air Certified
Industry standards: Meets requirements for WELL Building Standard’s Air concept and certified for RESET Air continuous monitoring
Grant eligibility: Qualify for green building initiatives, grant funding, and demonstrate measurable improvements
Compliance documentation: Continuous data logging provides documentation needed for certification audits and ongoing compliance
Complete Data Ownership and Transparency
Full data control: Open-source approach gives schools complete control over their monitoring data
Flexible integration: Export to any format, integrate with existing building management systems, or use our purpose-built dashboard
No vendor lock-in: Your investment remains valuable regardless of future technology decisions
From Crisis Response to Proactive Management
Proven origin: Born from urgent need to protect students during wildfire events, evolved into comprehensive monitoring solution
Real-time alerts: Alert staff to ventilation issues, identify pollution sources, and justify infrastructure improvements
Energy savings: Schools report 10-20% energy savings through optimized ventilation based on actual occupancy and air quality
Contact our education team for volume pricing and implementation support.
Professional-Grade Sensors for Accurate Monitoring
AirGradient monitors use the same industrial sensors trusted by research institutions and building consultants worldwide.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Measures PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 using Plantower sensors. Essential for monitoring outdoor pollution infiltration, detecting issues with HVAC filters, and identifying indoor sources like 3D printers or science lab activities.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
SenseAir S8 NDIR sensor provides ±40ppm accuracy. Critical for assessing ventilation adequacy - CO2 above 1,000 ppm indicates insufficient fresh air, leading to drowsiness, headaches, and 15% reduction in cognitive performance.
TVOCs and NOX
Sensirion SGP sensor detects volatile organic compounds from paints, adhesives, and cleaning products, plus nitrogen oxides from combustion sources. Helps identify sources of ‘sick building syndrome’ symptoms.
Temperature and Humidity
Precision monitoring ensures thermal comfort and prevents mold growth. Studies show test scores decline when temperatures exceed 74°F (23°C), while humidity above 60% promotes allergen proliferation.
Having used the AirGradient indoor kits as well as the commercial AirGradient ONE in awareness projects with schools and universities here in Thailand, I am very keen on piloting this new outdoor monitor. I am also interested in exchanging ideas and resources for student engagement with this open source project.
The San Joaquin Valley of California has extreme climate injustice and the worst air quality in the United States, yet continues poorly monitored. The SEEN Team has partnered with AirGradient to facilitate low-cost monitoring in rural disadvantaged communities, and to increase awareness and education related to air quality. We intend to provide more and better real-time air quality information for local decision makers to act in the best interest of their underserved communities.
I’m very happy to contribute to this open hardware project with my product design experience and working with the team to not only ensuring a beautiful look but a highly functional design. Turning the required air flow characteristics and vent specification into a good looking product was a challenge I really liked. I’m looking forward to see the product in many Citizen Science projects around the world.
Having tested numerous air quality sensors for the projects we are doing I found myself extremely impressed with AirGradient. Not only are they technically first class with their product, they have a level of engagement and adaptability which makes working with them very easy. A welcome element to this is their clear commitment to the importance of environmental issues, showing itself in their interest in the details of our projects - all this helps them to deliver…!
AirGradient have consistently gone above and beyond their contractual duties in order to better support the SAMHE Project. They have shown great flexibility and a genuine interest to listen to the complex needs of the project; as a result, they deliver valuable products and a friendly service, both in a manner that is timely for the project.
We have had the opportunity to utilise AirGradient’s sensors in a variety of indoor air quality projects. Through these diverse projects, we have consistently been impressed with the sensors’ performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The wide-ranging scale and unique requirements of many of our projects demand a high degree of adaptability and support from the technical team, and in this regard, AirGradient has been instrumental in ensuring successful project delivery.
Choose the Right Solution for Your School (add outdoor)
Professional-grade monitors available as engaging DIY kits or fully assembled units. Both options include full access to our educational resources and expert support. Students build their own professional monitor, learning about sensors, electronics, and environmental science. No soldering required - assembly takes 30-60 minutes per monitor. Volume discounts available for schools
AirGradient ONE
(Educational Kit)
Perfect for STEM and coding programs. Students build their own monitors and deploy in classrooms across the school. Then they can analyse classrooms and develop plans for improvements.
- Industrial-grade sensors for CO2, PM, TVOCs, NOx, Temperature and Humidity
- Educational assembly experience (no soldering)
- Display and LED bar for immediate feedback
- 12 months dashboard access included
- Open-source for advanced projects
USD 138.00
Build Instructions Get It From Us
AirGradient Open Air
(Educational Kit)
Perfect for outdoor educational programs. Students build and deploy the monitor to measure and understand air pollution and carbon emissions in their community.
- Measures PM, CO2, TVOCs, NOX, Temperature and Humidity
- 4m USB C cable (w/o power plug)
- Easy to assemble kit
- 24 months AirGradient data platform with map (or connect it to your own server, e.g. home assistant)
- Open-source for advanced projects
USD 125.00
Build Instructions Get It From UsCreating Tomorrow’s Environmental Leaders
Empower students with the tools and knowledge to understand and improve their environment
Real-World Research Projects
Students investigate questions that matter: Does opening windows during high pollen days help or hurt? How do CO2 levels change during exams? What’s the air quality impact of the chemistry lab? These investigations develop critical thinking while addressing practical school challenges.
Cross-Curricular Learning
Air quality monitoring spans multiple disciplines. Use sensor data in statistics classes, explore chemical reactions in science, calculate ventilation rates in physics, and discuss environmental justice in social studies. One tool, endless learning opportunities.
Student-Driven Discovery
When students assemble their own monitors, they take ownership of the data. They propose hypotheses, design experiments, and present findings to administrators. This agency transforms passive learners into active environmental advocates and future scientists.
Community Impact
School air quality projects often expand beyond campus. Students present to school boards, securing funding for ventilation improvements. They share data with parents, raising awareness about indoor air quality at home. Some even influence municipal air quality policies.
Contact Our Education Team for Implementation Support
Proven at Scale: 2,000 Monitors in UK Schools
AirGradient was selected for the world’s largest school air quality study - the SAMHE Project. Our monitors are gathering data from 2,000 UK classrooms, building an unprecedented dataset that will shape national policies on school ventilation and health. This massive deployment demonstrates the reliability, accuracy, and scalability of our monitoring solutions. Schools participating in SAMHE report improved awareness of air quality issues and concrete actions taken to improve ventilation based on monitor data.
The New York Times: Democratizing Air Quality Monitoring
The New York Times featured AirGradient’s mission to make air quality monitoring accessible worldwide through affordable, open-source sensors. The article tells the story of how AirGradient grew from a father’s concern for his family in smoke-filled Chiang Mai to a global movement - with nearly 50,000 monitors deployed across 85+ countries, empowering schools, communities, and citizens to understand and act on their local air quality data. Read More.
