Classroom Air Quality: An Investigation of CO(2) and Ventilation in a Classroom

Overview

Objectives/Goals Is the carbon dioxide concentration in a St. Anne School classroom consistent with optimum interior air standards? CO2 is the best measurable indicator of interior air quality and performance of the ventilation system. Standards for interior air specify that CO2 not exceed 1000 ppm. Academic performance of students is optimized at CO2 levels less than 1000 ppm. (Shaughnessy, 2010) Hypothesis: I predict that the carbon dixide concentration will increase in a St. Anne Middle School classroom from the lowest concentration in Period 1, at the start of the day, to the highest in Period 7, at the end of the day. Methods/Materials Vernier CO2 sensor set at low range: 0 to 10,000 ppm CO2; Go!Link cable; Logger Pro 3.5 Computer Software (2007), www.vernier.com; Dell netbook 10" - Latitude 2100, Intel Atom processor, St. Anne School server, www.dell.com; Classroom B213, Mrs. Michelle Brooks, mathematics (grades 6-8), St. Anne School; Wall thermostat for temperature readings; functioning HVAC system, room B213; School bell - to signal time of data gathering per class period; Students enrolled (per class period) present in classroom; Pencil & notebook for recording. Results 62 out of 80 class periods, or 77.5%, recorded averages greater than 1000 ppm CO2. The average % increase of CO2 per day among all the trials was 900.17 ppm or 155.5%. CO2 was lower after the teacher's prep period in each trial because Mrs. Brooks turned the thermostat down two degrees, which activated the HVAC system. She turned the thermostat back to its original temperature when her next period started. This is her prep period routine. Conclusions/Discussion CO2 increased from the start of the day to the end of the day in each trial by an average of 900.17 ppm or 155.5%, which supported the hypothesis that CO2 would increase through the day in a St. Anne Middle School classroom. Two classes benefited from optimum indoor air quality, less than 1000 ppm, the start of the day Period 1 (7th grade students) and Period 5 (6th grade students) who each day followed Mrs. Brooks's prep period. The remaining class periods had poor classroom air quality, greater than 1000 ppm.

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Environmental Science · Entry J1133

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