Schools Weather and Air Quality
Schools Weather and Air Quality

Empowering urban weather research with schools

Explore the data

 

  • Inspiring and informing a new generation

Schools Weather and Air Quality (SWAQ) is a citizen science project funded by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science as part of its Inspiring Australia - Citizen Engagement Program. SWAQ improves urban weather and air quality measurements around Sydney by placing meteorological and air quality sensors in its schools. Students collect and analyse research quality data for use in science and geography curriculum-aligned classroom activities. The data is also freely available online to the public and researchers via this website, enabling everyone to visualize the data and the current weather and air quality at each school's location.

 

  • What are our goals?

Educate and Inspire

By engaging students in local meteorology and explaining the science behind our methods, SWAQ increases the community’s knowledge and awareness about their changing local urban environment and city, empowering us all to make positive changes to our environment. By increasing student participation in science, we hope to enhance interest in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) courses and careers.

Big data collection

We provide research-standard data that adds value to existing meteorology and air quality networks. International researchers and the public are able to use the data, whether it be for scientific research, or through the mapping and graphing tools developed on this website to visualize real-time conditions around Sydney. The data collected can be used to inform decisions on residential and school energy use and mitigate weather-related health risks.

 
“>3000”
— students
“20”
— Schools
“20”
— Suburbs
 

  • Discover

AIR QUALITY IN NEW SOUTH WALESCurrent and completed research on air quality in New South Wales from the NSW government Office of Environment & Heritage.

AIR QUALITY IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Current and completed research on air quality in New South Wales from the NSW government Office of Environment & Heritage.

HOW IS WESTERN SYDNEY TACKLING THE 'HEAT ISLAND' EFFECT?Article published by the ABC detailing what Western Sydney councils are doing to counteract increasing temperatures in urban areas.

HOW IS WESTERN SYDNEY TACKLING THE 'HEAT ISLAND' EFFECT?

Article published by the ABC detailing what Western Sydney councils are doing to counteract increasing temperatures in urban areas.

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY METEYE(TM)Track live weather updates with the Bureau's MetEye(TM).

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY METEYE(TM)

Track live weather updates with the Bureau's MetEye(TM).

BLACK SUMMER BUSHFIRESThe 2019-20 bushfire season saw some of the most extensive and devastating fires in Australia’s recorded history. At its peak, smoke from the fires caused hazardous air quality levels across all eastern and southern states. Thi…

BLACK SUMMER BUSHFIRES

The 2019-20 bushfire season saw some of the most extensive and devastating fires in Australia’s recorded history. At its peak, smoke from the fires caused hazardous air quality levels across all eastern and southern states. This video from ABC explores these bushfires and why they were so intense.

 

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