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Short Abstract

AmIAire engages primary and secondary students in rural and peripheral areas in air quality research using ultra-low-cost, easily accessible tools. This citizen science approach lowers barriers to participation, fostering scientific learning and environmental awareness.

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) projects often struggle to reach schools in remote or peripheral regions due to limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of technical expertise. AmIAire (https://amiaire.org/) addresses this challenge by providing an ultra-low-cost, low-barrier method for monitoring air quality that requires neither expensive instrumentation nor advanced scientific training.

The project equips schools with DIY sensors created by them and simple materials to collect particulate matter (PM) data and analyse it through accessible digital platforms (https://analisis.amiaire.org/). This approach has enabled extensive involvement of primary and secondary students from rural areas, who actively participate in designing experiments, collecting and interpreting data, and discussing local environmental impacts. The simplicity and affordability of the AmIAire methodology have proven essential for bridging the centre-periphery gap, fostering scientific literacy, and promoting environmental awareness in contexts where participation in research initiatives is often limited. A key component of the project was the creation of 20 Easy-to-Read educational pills, designed to support teachers and students with clear, inclusive, and accessible materials that facilitate understanding of complex environmental concepts. These resources significantly enhanced engagement and comprehension, making scientific inquiry approachable even for younger learners or those with limited prior knowledge.

In this contribution, we will present the project’s conceptual framework, implementation strategies, educational outcomes, and examples of successful engagement in schools located far from major research centres. AmIAire demonstrates how CS can become a powerful tool for inclusion and capacity building, even in the most resource-limited educational contexts.