Chicago ASHRAE Sustainability Project

Written By Sumayyah Theron

In January 2024 ASHRAE held its winter conference in Chicago. I co-chaired the conference and was the Sustainability Chair for the conference. With the support of the local ASHRAE chapter, I seized the opportunity to launch a sustainability project that not only represents ASHRAE’s commitment to sustainability but also aims to offset the environmental impact of hosting the conference. Traditionally, such projects have focused on energy efficiency, but this year, in response to the global pandemic, I decided to tackle the topic of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to educate the next generation of scientists.

We partnered with Attune (formerly known as Senseware), a specialist in real-time indoor air quality monitoring. Our project aims to educate elementary and middle school children about the importance of IAQ and its impact on our lives. The ages of the children are 8-12 years old. The project includes the installation of IAQ sensors in two schools, a hands-on workshop, and educational materials. Local chapter volunteers coordinated all site work and installation with Attune and school management. ASHRAE Society and the local IL chapter covered the costs of the sensors, installation, and the program for three years from 2024-2027. The cost was just under $30k. At the end of the first and third years, a case study will be presented at the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago.

Why Indoor Air Quality is Important to Schools

We spend over 90% of our time indoors, a number that has increased post-pandemic. Studies have shown that indoor pollutants can be 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors, and in some cases, more than 100 times higher. Good IAQ contributes to a favorable environment for students, teacher performance, and a sense of comfort, health, and well-being. These elements combine to assist schools in their core mission—educating children. The EPA’s Science Advisory Board has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Learn more about the importance of IAQ in schools

Project Scope

• Selected Schools: McClure Junior High School and Forest Hills Elementary School (District 101) in Western Springs, IL.
• Project Partners: ASHRAE Society, ASHRAE IL Chapter, and Attune.
• Installation: IL-ASHRAE volunteers (Sumayyah Theron and Kevin Summers), with Attune staff, installed a package of 5 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sensors in each selected school, covering areas such as a sample classroom, gym, lab, lobby, and library.
• Data Collection: The sensors will monitor Temperature and Relative Humidity, Carbon Dioxide, Total VOCs, Particulate Matter, and Ozone (T/RH, CO2, TVOC, PM, O3).
• Workshop: Several workshops on the importance of indoor air quality through science and technology are planned throughout the year.

School IAQ Curriculum/Workshop

The Attune Indoor Air Quality Curriculum, developed by leading education and IAQ experts, is especially relevant given that children have lived through a global pandemic. It is designed for grades 7-8 but can be modified for younger or older students. The curriculum, which meets Next Generation Science Standards, includes six lessons covering topics such as VOCs, IAQ & COVID safety, Air Quality & Environmental Racial Justice, Climate Change, and a Real-world Application Project. The lessons are comprehensive, including lesson plans, teacher guides, presentation slides, student activities, warm-ups, experiments, and worksheets.

I used this curriculum as the foundation to create material that is more suitable for elementary grades. The main focus was what pollutes the air indoors, where do these pollutants come from, and how can we reduce our exposure to them?

Installation day

The children had so many questions and enjoyed being involved in the location selection and in the installation process. They were asked to describe the environment they are in. Is it too cold/warm? Do you smell anything? How do you feel in this space? They were encouraged to think of the quality of the air around them. Having them involved in the process enhances their learning experience and engagement with the project.

Throughout the year they will learn how to download the data and what it means. They will also have the chance to relocate the sensors to different areas in the school based on the readings they get. An annual summary will be provided for each school to share with the students and a meeting will be set up to discuss the results and get some feedback.

Working with the children on this volunteer project was undoubtedly the highlight of my ASHRAE volunteer work. Witnessing their curiosity and eagerness to learn was truly inspiring. Their enthusiasm was not only contagious but also served as a constant reminder of the impact and importance of our work. Engaging with young minds eager to explore the world of indoor air quality and science was an incredibly rewarding experience. It reinforced my belief in the power of education to shape a better future and the vital role that volunteer initiatives play in bringing meaningful change to our communities.