About the Project
HalesAir is a seven-month educational project investigating air quality around Halesowen College, using student-built digital monitoring hardware and a university STEM Partner.
Students from Halesowen College's Digital T Level (Data Analytics) programme, supported by James Williams (Research Fellow, University of Nottingham) as STEM Partner, investigate air quality around Halesowen College. Over seven months, students build and program digital air quality monitoring devices using Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontrollers and BME680 environmental sensors.
They collect, analyse, and visualise real-time air quality data to explore trends, identify contributing factors, and make evidence-based recommendations for improvement. With expert support from the embedded STEM Partner, students gain hands-on experience in data science, sensor technology, and digital communication.
Findings are shared through interactive dashboards and presentations to local stakeholders, focusing on science communication, teamwork, and community engagement. The project combines computing, environmental awareness, and statistical analysis to promote STEM careers while empowering students to address a real-world issue in their local area.
Funding
- Grant
- £3,000
- Duration
- 7 months · 2 terms
- Dates
- January – July 2026
Equipment
- Raspberry Pi Pico W
- Waveshare BME680 sensor boards
- GeeekPi Pico W IoT Starter Kit
- Power supplies
- Weatherproof enclosures
- Domain hosting
Project Objectives
Six core goals spanning technical, analytical, and community dimensions.
Design & Build Sensors
Students build and program Raspberry Pi Pico W units with BME680 sensors to capture environmental data.
Deploy Around the College
Identify and install monitoring units at selected locations around Halesowen College to capture spatial variation in air quality.
Collect & Analyse Data
Gather longitudinal air quality data over seven months and apply statistical methods to identify trends and contributing factors.
Communicate Findings
Build interactive dashboards and deliver presentations to local stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations.
Develop STEM Skills
Give T Level students hands-on experience in data science, sensor technology, and science communication.
Community Engagement
Raise awareness of air quality issues in Halesowen and empower the community with locally-produced data.
Project Partners
Halesowen College
Lead Institution
Provides the student cohort from the Digital T Level (Data Analytics) programme. Students are responsible for the hands-on delivery of all hardware, data collection, and community-facing outputs.
Dr James Williams
STEM Partner
Research Fellow and STEM Partner embedded in the college, providing expert guidance in data science methodology, sensor technology, MicroPython programming, and research communication across all project phases.
This project was initiated during Dr Williams' time as Lecturer in Computer Science at Birmingham Newman University, and continues under his current position as Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham. He participates as STEM Partner — a technical advisory and mentorship role — with Halesowen College leading all delivery.