Community Air Research Experience


A Project Funded by the National Science Foundation’s GEOPAths Program

 Air quality in Chicago monitored by sensors installed by CARE [Link]

Logo designed in fall 2021 by Isabelle Borkowski (a Loyola undergrad, BA in Environmental Policy)

The Community Air Research Experience (CARE) is a geoscience learning community that engages underrepresented undergraduates in research on air pollution in Chicago neighborhoods that differ in socioeconomic demographics and proximity to industrial facilities.

CARE has three aims:

Students talk about their CARE experiences 


The video was made in fall 2023 by Michael W. Chopra (mchopra@luc.edu), a Loyola undergrad in Film & Digital Media.

WHY AIR

Air pollution is one of the major threats to public health and welfare. In the CARE project, students will study air pollution in Chicago, because over 5 million people in Chicago are at risk from high levels of ozone and particle pollution1. In addition, residents of low-income or high minority neighborhoods of Chicago share a greater burden of air pollution than more affluent areas2,3, which makes air pollution in Chicago an environmental justice issue as well. 

WHAT WE DO

Spring 2023

Orientation and Training  

CARE students participate in 10 seminars and field trips to learn about research design and methods, geoscience career opportunities, and professional skills, plus consult with community organizations to prepare for the upcoming research.

Summer 2023 

(May 15  to June 9)

Internship 

During a 4-week research experience in Chicago, CARE students install air monitoring instruments, learn and practice computer programming, and collect and analyze data to answer research questions of interest to local communities. 

Note: Picture above is an example of real-time air quality monitoring using a PurpleAir sensor which will be installed by CARE students in summer.

Fall 2023

Dissemination 

CARE students finalize their research results, learn and practice scientific communication skills, and present their results in communities and conferences.

 PARTNERS

       For further information, please contact 

Dr. Ping Jing

(+1) 773-508-7560

caregeopaths@gmail.com