Young ecologists from Tatarstan have developed a project for targeted monitoring of atmospheric air quality
A team of schoolchildren from the Republic of Tatarstan has reached the finals of the prestigious All-Russian Children's Environmental Forum. Their innovative project "Clear Sky" combines modern technologies and environmental education to create an effective air quality control system in children's institutions.
The competition was fierce — out of 89 teams from all over Russia, only 51 qualified for the second round. Tatarstan eco-activists entered the top three winners in the nomination "Best Air Monitoring Project".
They have developed a project for targeted monitoring of atmospheric air quality near Kazan schools and kindergartens. This is not just a study, but a working tool that children, parents, and teachers can use.
As part of the project, students have developed a working prototype of a gas analyzer capable of collecting and transmitting data on air pollution. This compact device can become the basis for an entire monitoring network throughout the city.
The Clear Sky project includes seven ambitious tasks: from adapting various methods for assessing air quality to creating an interactive pollution map and developing educational tools. Special attention is paid to bioindication using lichens — schoolchildren are creating an electronic identifier that will help even elementary school students assess the environmental situation.
"Thanks to the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Tatarstan for supporting our project. The project is a bridge between science and society. We use satellite technologies, homemade sensors, and even natural indicators," explains the scientific director of the team.
The final presentation, which will take place on October 15-16 in Chelyabinsk, will be supervised by the expert jury of the forum. It is worth noting that the team from Tatarstan has an impressive track record: in 2023, they won the "Popular Water" nomination with a project to clean up the coastlines, and in 2024 they presented the best project to create eco-habits to reduce the carbon footprint. All these projects help to achieve the goals of the national Environmental Well-being project
For reference: The All-Russian Children's Environmental Forum is a platform that provides an opportunity to share experiences in the development and implementation of environmental projects. The forum is attended by students of grades 5-11 of educational organizations and organizations of additional education with scientific and applied developments in the field of ecology.
The main goal is to promote ecological culture among schoolchildren and foster respect for nature.
The organizers are the COMPASS Foundation for Support of Environmental Initiatives and the Ministry of Ecology of the Chelyabinsk Region.
Photo: official website of the COMPASS Foundation