<  The Sensor Inspector

Showcase Event 2026

The Wrap of The Sensor Inspector 2026!

‘The Sensor Inspector’ Showcase Event was the culmination of the citizen science programme that empowered five primary schools in the Dublin City area (3-6th class) to monitor local air pollution and traffic, with a view to promoting active travel.

The programme included a four-part workshop series in schools. They had hands-on air quality and traffic monitoring sensors, with those they identified key environmental problems, and developed creative solutions to address these challenges.

Some schools created:

  • Posters to encourage empathy. Aiming to promote safer streets for everyone.
  • Filmed a video to raise awareness. This video shows people what happens when they are distracted while they are driving
  • Posters about the use of high vis and helmet, safety rules, bike safety, and road safety tips
  • Prototypes to reduce car emission and have an eco-light
  • Petition for e-scooters to have insurance


When communities are designed for cars rather than people it leads to more traffic on the road.

-Howth School presentation 2026

Programme Highlights

  • 24 workshops done, 155 participants, 560 interactions

  • Showcase at the Mansion House

  • Attendance of leaders in the community including the Lord Mayor of Dublin

  • 60% schools DEIS and at least 50% female participants

  • FREE STEM workshop series

  • 4 sessions of 90 min each

  • Installed pollution and a traffic sensors in their school

  • Delivery period September 2025-April 2026

Students:

  • learned about active travel, smart cities, AI, data and citizen science

  • used air quality and traffic monitoring sensors,

  • identified key environmental problems,

  • developed creative solutions to address these challenges,

  • helped providing expert insights based on their local knowledge,

  • gained hands-on experience in monitoring and assessing data obtained in their area,

  • honed their presentations skills


Participant Schools:
Howth Road National School, St. Columba’s National School, Harold’s Cross National School, Scoil Chaitríona Baggot Street and St. Joseph’s Primary Fairview


Collaborations:
This primary school workshops series was delivered by the Academy of the Near Future (ANF) team in collaboration to Dublin City Council Active Travel team, focusing on Children’s Movement Through the City project. ANF is a smart cities education programme in partnership between the Smart Cities Unit in Dublin City Council and CONNECT Research Centre for Future Networks at Trinity College Dublin.


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