Fresh Air Innovators is a free, curriculum-aligned program developed by the University of NSW and supported by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer through the NSW Natural Hazards STEM Support Program.
Fresh Air Innovators is designed for upper primary students, with a focus on air quality and bushfire management. Each lesson empowers students with hands-on STEM activities and real-world skills. The program equips students with the means to tackle environmental challenges, build resilience and make a positive impact in their schools and communities.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Fresh Air Innovators?
The Fresh Air Innovators educational program teaches primary school students about indoor air quality and relates it to environmental events like bushfires. The program combines hands-on STEM activities with real-world applications, helping students understand and monitor air quality in their everyday environments.
The Fresh Air Innovators educational program teaches primary school students about indoor air quality and relates it to environmental events like bushfires. The program combines hands-on STEM activities with real-world applications, helping students understand and monitor air quality in their everyday environments.
Why should I use it in my class?
Fresh Air Innovators offers a relevant, engaging way to teach important STEM concepts while addressing real-world environmental challenges. It develops students' scientific inquiry skills, environmental awareness and data literacy through practical investigations. The program aligns with curriculum requirements and builds valuable life skills for understanding and managing air quality.
Fresh Air Innovators offers a relevant, engaging way to teach important STEM concepts while addressing real-world environmental challenges. It develops students' scientific inquiry skills, environmental awareness and data literacy through practical investigations. The program aligns with curriculum requirements and builds valuable life skills for understanding and managing air quality.
How long does the program run?
The program runs over 8 weeks, with weekly 1-hour sessions that can be integrated into existing science and geography curriculum time.
The program runs over 8 weeks, with weekly 1-hour sessions that can be integrated into existing science and geography curriculum time.
Do I need any prior knowledge to teach the class?
No specialised knowledge is required. The program provides comprehensive teacher guides, professional development support, and a dedicated website with all downloadable materials, lesson presentations and video content. All scientific concepts are explained clearly with supporting materials and suggestions for delivery.
No specialised knowledge is required. The program provides comprehensive teacher guides, professional development support, and a dedicated website with all downloadable materials, lesson presentations and video content. All scientific concepts are explained clearly with supporting materials and suggestions for delivery.
Do I need any other materials beyond what is available online?
For registered schools, specialised equipment (including air pollution monitors and air filters) and experiment materials will be provided in a resource box sent directly to your school. Computers or tablets are occasionally needed during the program for recording data or accessing online resources. These requirements are clearly outlined in advance to allow for arrangement of devices and using shared devices is fine. Further to this, only basic classroom supplies and standard school stationery are required. For more information about resources, see the 'for teachers' information at bottom of 'lessons' page.
For registered schools, specialised equipment (including air pollution monitors and air filters) and experiment materials will be provided in a resource box sent directly to your school. Computers or tablets are occasionally needed during the program for recording data or accessing online resources. These requirements are clearly outlined in advance to allow for arrangement of devices and using shared devices is fine. Further to this, only basic classroom supplies and standard school stationery are required. For more information about resources, see the 'for teachers' information at bottom of 'lessons' page.
Does it fit with the current, and new, NSW curriculum?
Yes, Fresh Air Innovators aligns with both current NSW Curriculum standards and the incoming curriculum changes. It addresses key learning areas in Science, Digital Technologies, Geography / Human Society and its Environment, and Mathematics while incorporating cross-curriculum priorities of Sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Yes, Fresh Air Innovators aligns with both current NSW Curriculum standards and the incoming curriculum changes. It addresses key learning areas in Science, Digital Technologies, Geography / Human Society and its Environment, and Mathematics while incorporating cross-curriculum priorities of Sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Will it cost me anything?
No, the program is free for registered NSW schools. It is fully funded through government and research partnerships. There are no costs to teachers or schools for materials, training, or ongoing support. For more information about resources, see the 'for teachers' information at bottom of 'lessons' page.
No, the program is free for registered NSW schools. It is fully funded through government and research partnerships. There are no costs to teachers or schools for materials, training, or ongoing support. For more information about resources, see the 'for teachers' information at bottom of 'lessons' page.
Who can take part?
The program is designed for upper primary students (years 5-6) but can be adapted for other year levels. Any NSW primary school can apply, with priority given to schools in bushfire-prone, rural or remote areas. While all Australian schools can access the online materials, funding for resource boxes is currently only available for successfully registered NSW schools.
The program is designed for upper primary students (years 5-6) but can be adapted for other year levels. Any NSW primary school can apply, with priority given to schools in bushfire-prone, rural or remote areas. While all Australian schools can access the online materials, funding for resource boxes is currently only available for successfully registered NSW schools.
Who developed the program?
Fresh Air Innovators was developed through a collaboration between environmental scientists, education specialists and teachers, with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders and innovation and entrepreneurial professionals. The program was tested in pilot schools before wider release.
Fresh Air Innovators was developed through a collaboration between environmental scientists, education specialists and teachers, with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders and innovation and entrepreneurial professionals. The program was tested in pilot schools before wider release.
How does the program handle sensitive topics related to bushfires?
The Fresh Air Innovators program incorporates a trauma-informed approach by blending disaster resilience education with strategies that prioritise student well-being. Students learn to understand and address air quality and climate risks through empowering, hands-on activities, scenario-based problem solving, and culturally inclusive practices. This approach fosters emotional safety, critical thinking, and a sense of preparedness, helping students build confidence and resilience while feeling supported and connected to their community.
The Fresh Air Innovators program incorporates a trauma-informed approach by blending disaster resilience education with strategies that prioritise student well-being. Students learn to understand and address air quality and climate risks through empowering, hands-on activities, scenario-based problem solving, and culturally inclusive practices. This approach fosters emotional safety, critical thinking, and a sense of preparedness, helping students build confidence and resilience while feeling supported and connected to their community.
Are parents/guardians provided information about the program?
Parents/ guardians receive an information sheet about the program prior to its start. If they have concerns regarding previous natural-hazard-induced trauma, they are encouraged to raise these concerns with the teacher before the program starts.
Parents/ guardians receive an information sheet about the program prior to its start. If they have concerns regarding previous natural-hazard-induced trauma, they are encouraged to raise these concerns with the teacher before the program starts.
How is student learning assessed?
The program incorporates a variety of assessment strategies to support learning. Pre- and post-unit questions help measure students’ progress in knowledge, skills and mindsets. Throughout the program, students use their learning journals to respond to formative assessment questions, with opportunities for self-assessment and teacher feedback on work samples and participation in discussions. Teacher assessment and student self-assessment rubrics are provided for the final 2 lessons.
The program incorporates a variety of assessment strategies to support learning. Pre- and post-unit questions help measure students’ progress in knowledge, skills and mindsets. Throughout the program, students use their learning journals to respond to formative assessment questions, with opportunities for self-assessment and teacher feedback on work samples and participation in discussions. Teacher assessment and student self-assessment rubrics are provided for the final 2 lessons.