Fresh Air Innovators is a free, curriculum-aligned program developed by the University of NSW.
In New South Wales, it is supported by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer through the NSW Natural Hazards STEM Support Program.
In Victoria, the program is supported by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
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.
With thanks to:
Digital Grid Futures Institute, UNSW
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 curriculum?
Yes, Fresh Air Innovators aligns with both current and 2027 NSW Curriculum standards and Victorian 2.0 Syllabus documents. It addresses key learning areas in Science, Technologies, Humanities and Mathematics. The program also incorporates learning opportunities that support sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, in line with state priorities.
Yes, Fresh Air Innovators aligns with both current and 2027 NSW Curriculum standards and Victorian 2.0 Syllabus documents. It addresses key learning areas in Science, Technologies, Humanities and Mathematics. The program also incorporates learning opportunities that support sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, in line with state priorities.
Will it cost me anything?
No, the program is free for registered 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 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. While all Australian schools can access the online materials, funding for resource boxes is currently only available for successfully registered NSW and VIC schools.
The program is designed for upper primary students (years 5-6) but can be adapted for other year levels. While all Australian schools can access the online materials, funding for resource boxes is currently only available for successfully registered NSW and VIC 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.
Resources for the program
For schools outside NSW & VIC or those not among the first tranche to receive a free resource box, all website learning resources are freely accessible. For schools who wish to incorporate the hands-on materials into their lessons, including experiment materials, air pollution monitors and filters, at the end of the program PDF, there is a detailed list of items, suggested quantities and links to purchase.
Trauma-informed disaster resilience in Fresh Air Innovators
This approach ensures students are supported emotionally and psychologically as they engage with topics like air quality, pollution, and natural disasters. The program fosters empowerment, preparedness, critical thinking and resilience through the following key strategies.
1. Empowerment and preparedness
Students are guided to understand the risks associated with air quality, pollution, and natural disasters such as bushfires in ways that empower rather than overwhelm them. A proactive mindset is encouraged by focusing on actionable steps to reduce risks and improve air quality in their communities. Lessons also include practical emergency procedures, teaching students how to respond to poor air quality days, bushfires or climate-related events. These activities emphasise the importance of monitoring air quality, using HEPA filters and making informed decisions about ventilation to promote preparedness and responsibility.
Students are guided to understand the risks associated with air quality, pollution, and natural disasters such as bushfires in ways that empower rather than overwhelm them. A proactive mindset is encouraged by focusing on actionable steps to reduce risks and improve air quality in their communities. Lessons also include practical emergency procedures, teaching students how to respond to poor air quality days, bushfires or climate-related events. These activities emphasise the importance of monitoring air quality, using HEPA filters and making informed decisions about ventilation to promote preparedness and responsibility.
2. Community engagement
The program includes opportunities for collaboration with local services and authorities. Guest speakers, including representatives from fire departments, environmental agencies or Indigenous leaders can be invited to share expertise on cultural burning and other resilience strategies. This collaboration fosters stronger community connection. Students also design simple action plans for their classrooms, outlining steps for monitoring air quality and responding effectively to pollution events.
The program includes opportunities for collaboration with local services and authorities. Guest speakers, including representatives from fire departments, environmental agencies or Indigenous leaders can be invited to share expertise on cultural burning and other resilience strategies. This collaboration fosters stronger community connection. Students also design simple action plans for their classrooms, outlining steps for monitoring air quality and responding effectively to pollution events.
3. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Scenario-based learning engages students with real-world challenges, such as mitigating air pollution or adapting classrooms for bushfire smoke. Group problem-solving activities encourage collaboration as students develop solutions that can be implemented or advocated for in their schools or communities. These activities enhance critical thinking in a practical and engaging way.
Scenario-based learning engages students with real-world challenges, such as mitigating air pollution or adapting classrooms for bushfire smoke. Group problem-solving activities encourage collaboration as students develop solutions that can be implemented or advocated for in their schools or communities. These activities enhance critical thinking in a practical and engaging way.
4. Resilience and emotional well-being
The program acknowledges the emotional impact of discussing environmental challenges. Positive coping strategies, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness activities, help students regulate emotions during high-stress situations. Role models and success stories of individuals or communities who have overcome environmental challenges provide inspiration. These trailblazers reinforce the belief that students can contribute meaningfully to solutions.
The program acknowledges the emotional impact of discussing environmental challenges. Positive coping strategies, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness activities, help students regulate emotions during high-stress situations. Role models and success stories of individuals or communities who have overcome environmental challenges provide inspiration. These trailblazers reinforce the belief that students can contribute meaningfully to solutions.
5. Knowledge and skills for action
Hands-on activities, such as using air pollution monitors or building simple HEPA filters, empower students with practical skills to address air pollution in the classroom and at home.
Hands-on activities, such as using air pollution monitors or building simple HEPA filters, empower students with practical skills to address air pollution in the classroom and at home.
6. Inclusive and place-based learning
The program incorporates Aboriginal knowledge, such as cultural burning, as an example of long-standing disaster resilience practices. Discussions about how these techniques apply to modern challenges encourage students to value Indigenous perspectives. Place-based learning further connects global environmental issues to students’ local communities. This prompts them to examine challenges like traffic pollution or seasonal bushfire risks and develop solutions relevant to their specific environments.
The program incorporates Aboriginal knowledge, such as cultural burning, as an example of long-standing disaster resilience practices. Discussions about how these techniques apply to modern challenges encourage students to value Indigenous perspectives. Place-based learning further connects global environmental issues to students’ local communities. This prompts them to examine challenges like traffic pollution or seasonal bushfire risks and develop solutions relevant to their specific environments.