The Air We Breathe is the outcome of scientists and schoolchildren working together to fight air pollution. Produced by the iSCAPE’s team at UCD, the book introduces the concept of air pollution and encourages children to generate new ideas to reduce air pollution.
Read the online version of The Air We Breathe here.
The book was inspired by children participating in the Play and Learn workshop series organized by the Dublin Living Lab. When Dr Francesco Pilla visited the St. Brigid’s Senior Girls’ National School and the St. Catherine’s National School in Dublin, the students were engaged in a playful discussion about air pollution and where it comes from. They also used Lego bricks to bring their solutions to life (read more about these workshops here).
In The Air We Breathe, Francesco reflects on his experience:
“A child’s mind is brilliant! It’s full of great and creative ideas triggered by curiosity. These ideas can help scientists like me to think outside the box and find better ideas for improving the air we breathe. I have attended a number of schools in Dublin to play and learn together with a bunch of creative and talented minds. During these events, we built new ideas together using Lego bricks. It was so much fun!”
Throughout the book, scientists and experts from Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City Council, and the Environmental Protection Agency share their thoughts on various air pollution topics to encourage children and adults alike to learn more about this global problem and make informed choices that are better for both the environment and our personal health.
The Air We Breathe also encourages its young readers to think of new ideas or inventions that could help reduce air pollution. To increase the awareness of air pollution, the book suggests sharing pictures of these creative solutions through social media.
The Air We Breathe is featured among the learning resources available at the Science Apprentice’s website. You can also read about the work of the iSCAPE’s team in one of their latest books for primary school children called Up in the Air (read more about the collaboration with the Science Apprentice initiative here).