By: Professor Juan Carlos Mejía

Air quality is a determining factor for the health, comfort, and performance of individuals in school environments. Aware of this reality and seeking to provide the best environmental conditions for learning, the school has decided to acquire and implement an “Outdoor” air quality sensor model from AirGradient. In addition to this objective, the aim is to promote didactic and educational research projects that involve both teachers and students, fostering active learning, critical thinking, and environmental engagement.

Description and Location of the Device

The sensor is a robust and highly precise device, designed to operate under external conditions and capture reliable data on various atmospheric parameters. This device has already been installed in the Science Building of the school, specifically in one of its hallways, thanks to the work and dedication of the STEM Club, composed of 11th and 12th-grade students interested in science and technology fields. They were responsible for the assembly and configuration, ensuring the device was fully operational and began collecting data immediately.

A group of people standing around a table

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The sensor’s structure is made with durable materials that withstand climatic changes, protecting its internal components and allowing real-time data measurement. The installation site, near the Limoncillo parking lot, was strategically chosen to obtain representative data from the surrounding environment, and the design of the equipment minimizes interference, providing accurate results that can be regularly consulted or accessed on demand.

A white box with blue and black wires attached to a brick wall

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Parameters Measured by the Sensor

Thanks to the technology incorporated into this model, the device measures various variables that influence air quality:

Applications and Relevance for Classroom Research Projects

The implementation of this sensor opens up a wide range of possibilities for developing research projects in the school context. The Physics subject, for example, can use this data to study the propagation of particles in the atmosphere or the interaction of radiation with various gases. However, its usefulness extends to many other areas:

Each project developed based on these measurements encourages a practical and experimental approach, while also fostering skills in collaboration, research, critical analysis, and scientific communication.

Importance for the Colegio Bolívar Community

Having reliable data on air quality offers multiple benefits for our community:

Cars on the road with smoke coming out of the air

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This project is made possible thanks to the management and support of the school’s sustainability and innovation departments, led by Jessica Gómez and Katie Neal. The High School STEM Club works under the guidance of Professor Juan Carlos Mejía. The data provided by the sensor can be accessed in real-time by visiting the website https://www.airgradient.com/map. In the search bar, you need to enter the city name (Cali, in this case), and then click on the icon that appears over Colegio Bolívar.