Air Heroes: Pupils Discover How Their Actions Affect the Air They Breathe

How do our daily habits – like opening windows, keeping classrooms tidy, or washing our hands – affect the air we breathe? That’s what 24 pupils from 5th and 6th grade discovered when they became Air Heroes for a day with researchers from Aarhus University in the InChildHealth project.

The day began with an introductory video and presentation showing why indoor air quality matters: it affects children’s health, comfort, and even how well they can learn.

Together with Louise Frederickson and Paula Guedes, who guided the hands-on activities, and supported by Patrik Fauser, Andreas Massling, and Katrin Vorkamp, AU Principal Investigator of InChildHealth, the pupils explored four fun challenges:

• Questionnaire Safari – spotting classroom features and habits that change air quality.
• Bacteria Busters – seeing glowing germs under UV light and testing how handwashing helps.
• Air Detectives – using sensors to measure CO₂ and dust particles, and watching how quickly air quality changes when windows are opened.
• Poster Parade – creating colourful posters to share their findings.

What Changed?

By the end of the day, the pupils were more knowledgeable and confident:

• Correct science answers increased from 50% to 65%.
• More children said they would open windows when air is stuffy and cover their mouths when sneezing.
• Many felt more confident about working with science and explaining it to others.

The children especially loved the bacteria and sensor experiments, where invisible microbes and CO₂ changes became visible in real time.

“The children were particularly enthusiastic during the hands-on activities, showing us how powerful hands-on science can be,” says Paula Guedes. Louise Frederickson adds: ”They quickly understood how their everyday habits influence the air they breathe.”

With curiosity, creativity, and hands-on science, these young Air Heroes showed how everyday actions can help keep classroom air cleaner and healthier.