Bitterne Manor Primary School first to experience new Air Quality Exhibit

On Tuesday 9 October, pupils from Bitterne Manor Primary School were treated to a visit by My Journey Southampton’s new Air Quality Exhibit and Get Cycle Savvy Pit Stop.

The school is the first to experience the new portable Air Quality Exhibit designed to educate children across Southampton and Hampshire about the health impact of air pollution. In a fun and interactive way of demonstrating this message, the installation features a set of lungs which respond when users turn various dials to answer travel related questions. The project was launched in June at Winchester Science Centre, with a portable version available for school workshops and events.

Children took turns to use the exhibit and complete an air quality themed quiz, alongside a series of fun and engaging tasks to promote clean air. These included designing badges, role play, a drawing competition, creating slogans and even writing an air quality rap.

As well as the workshop, the school was visited by our Get Cycle Savvy Pit Stop. We recently introduced the Pit Stop as an extension to our Get Cycle Savvy campaign which provides support and advice to help people become confident, regular cyclists. The campaign was launched earlier this year and delivered a range of ‘how to’ and case study videos as well as a series of bike ‘speed dating’ events. These resources are all available online at www.myjourneysouthampton.com/cyclesavvy

The Get Cycle Savvy Pit Stop aims to bring these resources to life by taking a package of activities out on the road for people to experience first-hand. It includes a free Bike Doctor service, try-a-bike sessions and information about YoBike, the dockless bike sharing scheme available in Southampton.  

The event at Bitterne Manor Primary School was the latest in a series of activities at the school to promote the importance of active travel in tackling air pollution. The school has worked hard to spread this message, resulting in a Silver award from Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools). Pupils have taken part in several initiatives to encourage sustainable travel including scooter training, ‘Smoothie Bike’ activities, Sustrans’ Big Pedal and an assembly focusing on the Be Bright Be Seen cycling campaign. They have also carried out diffusion tube testing experiments to measure levels of nitrogen dioxide around the school.