Exposure Factor Relationships for PM2.5, NO2, and O3 in the DEARS

Air Sensor Kits for Outreach

Dana Buchbinder and Gayle HaglerU.S. EPA Office of Research and Development2014 National Air Quality Conference, Durham, NCwww.epa.gov/airscienceAIR CLIMATE & ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAMB U I L D I N G A S C I E N T I F I C F O U N D A T I O N F O R S O U N D E N V I R O N M E N T A L D E C I S I O N S U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentThe EPA scientist role in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outreachQuestions we ask ourselves: What can we do in our few spare hours to inspire students to learn about environmental science and engineering? What do we wish we had exposure to when we were growing up? How can we find low cost ways to bring hands-on activities and demonstrations to the classroom?- How can we leave a lasting impact and avoid putting students (or ourselves!) to sleep?

#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development2The working EPA scientist role in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outreachMany outreach activities at EPA-RTP

DISCOVER-AQ study

Image source: NASA#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development3The emerging world of low cost sensors and electronics an opportunity for STEM outreach and air scienceA growing world of electronics supporting creative projects:

Arduino microprocessor a simple computer

Lilypad Arduino electronics meets home ec!Image: http://web.media.mit.edu/#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development4The emerging world of low cost sensors and electronics an opportunity for STEM outreach and air scienceExample air sensor components:

Nitrogen dioxide sensor(Images courtesy of Ron Williams)

Carbon dioxide sensor

Particle sensor Some are raw components that need additional electronics work (an opportunity to build and learn!) Some are ready to turn on and collect data (an opportunity to measure!) All are portable, data quality is variable

Particle sensor#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development5The emerging world of low cost sensors and electronics an opportunity for STEM outreach and air scienceOther sensors beyond air:Noise

Motion (accelerometer)

Relative Humidity

Light

Temperature#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development6Design of an air sampler: the basics Learning how an air sampler is designed: the basic elementsAir sensorComputer (data in, display out)Data display#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development7

Design of an air sampler: the basics Many examples emerging:Air sensorComputer (data in, display out)Data display

CO2 sensor

Carbon dioxide-sensing flower demoArduino boardLight-up flowers displaying color based on concentration#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development8Design of an air sampler: the basics Many examples emerging:Air sensorComputer (data in, display out)Data displayWearable particle sensorLilypad boardWearable sensor with light indicator of concentrations

Particle sensor

Winner of DHHS/EPAs My Health/My Air contest:David Kuller, Gabrielle Dockterman, and Dot Kelly#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development9Todays focus: Air sensor kit for outreachSame general design strategy:Air sensorComputer (data in, display out)Data displayGoals:1. Hands-on learning about multiple STEM topics: air measurement science, electronics, computer programming.

2. Real-time and interactive data collection on an air pollutant of interest.

3. A fun, memorable experience that fits within a classroom hour!#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development10

Air sensor kit for outreachAir sensorComputer (data in, display out)Data displayPortable particle monitor with LEDs lighting up to indicate concentration

Arduino board

Additional components: Resistors and wires Small battery 3 LEDsTotal kit cost:~$65Reuseable!#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development111. Give the big picture: EPAs goal for clean air

The air in every American community will be safe and healthy to breathe. In particular, children, the elderly, and people with respiratory ailments will be protected from health risks of breathing polluted air. #U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development1. Give the big picture: What is Particulate Matter?

Introduction to the basics of air quality, particulate matter, and health#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development1. Give the big picture: How do scientists measure the air?Check out our poster!

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Amtrak stationDurham freewayBaseball Park1. Give the big picture: Where would you choose to measure?#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development2. Primer on measuring particles Introduction to measuring particles

The particle sensor works by measuring the light scattered by particleshave you ever seen something like this at the movies?

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Air intake small white heater resistor visible in this openingCredit: www.shinyei.co.jpImage:Works best oriented up (hot air rises)2. Primer on measuring particles #U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development3. Explanation of the Arduino code

These are the important pins! One will receive the PM signal, three will control the lightsCheck the PM signal every 5 secondsTurn these lights on if PM level = #U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development

Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor Arduino computer Breadboard for wiring electronics

3 Blocks for structure4. Explain all the kit components#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development

3 LED lights

3 Resistors 6 short wires 1 longer wire

WIRE COLORS DONT MATTERLOOK: one leg is longer! Battery and clip(youll get this last)EPA Sensor Kits Materials4. Explain all the kit components#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development

Blue to ~5 on the ArduinoWhite to ~3 on the ArduinoOrange to 4 on the ArduinoLong Wire to GND on Arduino Breadboard Connections: Blue wire: A3,~5 on ArduinoOrange wire: A15, 4 on ArduinoWhite wire: A28, ~3 on ArduinoBlack wire: -, GND on ArduinoLED1: E3,F3LED2: E15, F15LED3: E28, F28Resistor1: H3, -Resistor2: H15,-Resistor3: H28,-Notes:-All long legs of LEDs go in column E-All short legs of LEDs go in column F-Only plug into the Blue bar on the right side of the breadboard

5. Build!#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development

5. Build!#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development4. Build!

#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development236. What can we do to make the lights turn on?

< Add more pictures >

#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development24Air sensor kit for outreach

Weve tried the kit with: EPA Air scientists and engineers EPA-RTP outreach volunteers Middle school students High school students Science teachers

#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development25Summary: Air sensor kit for outreachHands-on exploration of air quality science and electronics

Memorable and fun activity

Many ways to build out into a lesson plan series:- Programming the Arduino board- Trying to build other sensor systems- Games to understand the basics of computer programming- Designing new ways to show sensor readings#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development26Questions are welcome!Dana Buchbinder: buchbinder.dana@epa.gov

Gayle Hagler: hagler.gayle@epa.gov

#U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and Development27AcknowledgementsKaroline JohnsonEPA-RTP Outreach ProgramEPA ACE ProgramKelly LeovicRebecca DodderRachel ClarkCarol LenoxKatie Lubinsky

Citizen Schools apprenticeship programstudents

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