Young learners are buzzing with curiosity about air pollution and clean air innovation.
Their questions reflect a growing awareness of the environment we all share—and of how vital our relationship with the natural world really is.
Air We Breathe is the first learning programme created for the new EarthMuseum Learn platform, designed with and for young people aged 7-14. It was developed with the kind support of the University of Southampton Sustainability and Resilience Institute, the UK Clean Air programme, and the University of Winchester. The programme includes 30 free-to-use learning activities exploring the past, present, and future of air particle pollution and clean air innovation.
For one of these activities, Professor Sir Stephen Holgate generously took part in an interview, answering questions prepared by pupils from Barton Primary School and Bembridge Church of England Primary School on the Isle of Wight. The children relished the challenge and came up with a fantastic range of questions. Sir Stephen’s interview is both insightful and through-provoking. Schools can now access it as a short film within the Air We Breathe learning programme. Or click on the image below.
- “What makes you so interested in air pollution and breathing, and why did you pick it to study?”
- “What type of pollution do you think is the worst?”
- “If I could do one thing to help, what would it be?”
- “Can we stop things from happening?”
- “If you could invent a gadget to help air pollution, what would it be?”
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate is a world-renowned clinical scientist who has contributed greatly to the understanding and treatment of allergic and respiratory diseases. He is a UK Clean Air Champion and lead author of two highly influential Royal College of Physicians’ reports: Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution, and A breath of fresh air: responding to the health challenges of modern air pollution.