Cocreating a Field Practical through a Participatory and Inclusive Approach, Involving Lectures, Measurements and Data Analysis, to Understand Key Air Quality Concepts

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Most curriculums in the field of environmental science and engineering have limited hands-on training opportunities for students to understand the key concepts of air quality or atmospheric science. In this project, I used key pedagogical literature to design and develop a field practical for undergraduate (UG) Environmental Science students using low-cost air quality sensors. Through a co-creation based approach, students understood key concepts of indoor, outdoor, and personal air quality exposure monitoring using a hand-held direct reading instrument. Lecture sessions covered the theoretical aspect of the air quality measurement, which was then further illustrated in the practical sessions. I then used the student assessment to evaluate the learning outcome and to critically assess the findings. The findings clearly indicate the need for a hands-on-based practical that can influence several positive learning experiences among the students. Some of the key pedagogical concepts, cocreation, research led teaching, project based learning, and hands-on training, were identified as an effective way of teaching air quality concepts to undergraduate environmental science students.