Primary school students across Dublin have taken on the role of citizen scientists through The Sensor Inspector, a programme designed to track air pollution and traffic patterns in their local communities.

The initiative, a collaboration between the Academy of the Near Future and Dublin City Council's Active Travel Programme Office, engaged students from five primary schools in 3rd to 6th class. Over a four-part workshop series, students used real-time sensor data to identify environmental challenges and propose community-led solutions to encourage walking and cycling.

The project culminated in a showcase at the Mansion House, where students presented their findings to local leaders. Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, praised the initiative: "It is inspiring to see young people across Dublin engaging so thoughtfully with the challenges and opportunities of active travel. Through The Sensor Inspector, students are not only learning about air quality, traffic and sustainability, but are contributing ideas that can help shape safer, healthier streets in their own communities."

A unique aspect of the programme was student ownership; children managed sensors within their own classrooms and used their local knowledge to interpret the data. This hands-on approach helped them understand the direct link between transport choices and local air quality.

Mariana Chihenseck Blanco, programme lead, noted: "The Sensor Inspector was designed to give students voice and ownership, moving beyond theory to become citizen scientists. It's been inspiring to see their enthusiasm to take action in their community."

The workshops align with the ongoing development of Dublin's Active Travel Network, an ambitious project to create high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure across the city.

Celina Barrett, Assistant Chief Executive for Mobility & Public Realm at Dublin City Council, said: "Data is the foundation of how we design a city that works for everyone. Ultimately, we are building an active travel network for the future users of our city—our children—ensuring they have a safe, sustainable, and healthy way to move through Dublin for generations to come."