South London teenagers have the solution to air pollution – South London News

Students from four schools all over the place Southwark and Lambeth were given the chance to present solutions to tackling rising levels of air pollution to directors last week.

The one-day STEM workshop saw the cohort of 22 Year 9 students – all aged 14 – build and code their own air pollution monitor, collect and analyze data from them and then create policy based on the data.

The day’s activities culminated in a presentation to their principals as well as the heads of governors.

“It was quite scary, presenting our headteachers, but also a really good experience – I think!” said Ali FitzGerald-Jones, 14, a policy advisor at East Dulwich Charter School. where the event took place. place.

The policy solutions proposed by the students included planting shrubs along the sidewalk to capture the air pollution from evacuating cars, moving playgrounds away from busy junctions and introducing tolls outside schools on main roads.

Dominic Bergin, head of Elmgreen Secondary School in Elmcourt Road, Norwood, said: “It was fantastic to see young people from several schools talking about the important topic of air pollution.

“I really enjoyed the presentations as young people from south London came up with a number of innovative ideas to improve.”

The event was launched by Dr Ian Mudway, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. Once fully briefed, the students assumed the roles of programmer, engineer, data analyst, project manager and policy advisor and were masterclassed in their role by an expert in their field.

Kate Pryse-Lloyd, chief executive of Stem Workshops, helped programmers program the sensors, while Simone Steel, member of BCS – The Chartered Institute of IT, helped data analysts understand the numbers and what they mean in terms real.

Marcel Belingue, a public policy specialist, introduced the children to the policy-making process. He said: “I was very impressed with the level of interest from the students and even more so with the recommendations they came up with!”

The event was a collaboration between Stem Workshops and Mums for Lungsa grassroots campaign group of parents fighting air pollution.

Ms Pryse-Lloyd, said: “This type of hands-on experience not only challenges students but also prepares them for future STEM careers.

“The workshop aimed to reflect the demographics of our population in the STEM workforce, ensuring a diverse and skilled future generation.”

Top image: Year 9 students from Southwark and Lambeth schools who took part in the STEM workshop (Image: Jonny Hughes)

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