SAMHE FAQ
Find answers to commonly asked questions using the search tools below.
Background
Thanks so much for your interest in SAMHE! We are delighted to hear that you'd like to get involved.
Registration to receive a SAMHE monitor closed on 31 May 2024 but schools can still benefit from the SAMHE teaching resources. See our get involved page for more information.
If your school already has a SAMHE monitor, please note that the Web App will remain fully operational until at least January 2030.
The support that we can offer SAMHE schools will reduce after 31st July 2024, when our current research funding ends. But don't worry - almost nothing else will change! We hope to receive additional funding in the future to extend and expand SAMHE, but even if we don't, you will be able to keep using your monitor and the Web App for many years to come.
If your school has a SAMHE monitor, and it is not connected yet, please see our getting started page for help.
SAMHE's core aims are to:
- improve understanding of air quality in schools
- empower teachers and pupils to make informed decisions about management of their classroom environment, including ventilation
- support the UK's next generation to think differently about air quality
The specific research questions SAMHE will address include:
- What CO2 levels, as an indication of ventilation, are typical in schools?
- How does indoor air quality in schools vary with ventilation?
- Does indoor air quality vary widely within a given school?
- Does indoor air quality vary with the location of a school?
- Can taking part in SAMHE improve people's understanding of air quality?
- Can taking part in SAMHE help schools improve their indoor air quality
For an explanation of what the numbers on your monitor mean take a look at our guidance on monitor readings.This page has information on reference levels for each of the metrics we measure which will help put the readings into context. For more detail about what monitor readings mean in practice, and what you can do if these values concern you, take a look at our Resources. In particular, you might like to start by reading our About Air Pollution and ventilation guidance pages.
SAMHE is using AirGradient One monitors with custom firmware developed specially for our project. The monitors measure levels of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, total volatile organic compounds, temperature and relative humidity, all of which is displayed on the monitor screen in realtime. The concentration of CO2 detected determines the combination of monitor LEDs displayed.
All information gathered by the monitors is transmitted to the SAMHE Web App via WiFi connection where it is made available to schools to explore in more detail.
For more information about the AirGradient One monitor, including full technical specifications, visit the AirGradient website.
Yes! Based on the recommendations of the teachers we worked with during our 'Pioneers phase' we have developed a 15 minute presentation to assist you in introducing the project to interested parties at your school (and beyond)! Our template introductory presentation is linked from the Resources page.
For a summary of what we know about the links between CO2 levels, cognition and concentration head to our Air Pollution and Health page.
For information about how outdoor air pollution can affect indoor air quality see our About Air Pollution page.
For information on the relationship between air quality and transmission of illnesses such as COVID-19 please see our Air Pollution and Health page.
Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are a low-cost but effective air filter which you could build for your school. Instructions have been provided by Clean Air Classrooms. If you wanted to, you could see if there are any differences in monitor readings before and after installation.
If your child is harmed by taking part in this research project, there are no special compensation arrangements. If your child is harmed due to someone's negligence, then you may have grounds for a legal action. Regardless of this, if you wish to complain, or have any concerns about any aspect of the way you have been treated during the course of this study then you should immediately inform Dr Henry Burridge and the project team using hello@samhe.org.uk. If you are still not satisfied with the response, you may contact the Imperial College Research Governance Integrity Team (rgitcoordinator@imperial.ac.uk).
Results from this study are being analysed and summarised in publicly available academic papers and technical reports. Those already published are available on our Outputs page, along with a short, simple summary. Data supporting the Web App will be stored in a data repository and be made available to other researchers. No personal data will be included in data repositories. Your child will not be identified in any project outputs and it will not be possible for anyone to work out that they took part in the study. The only exception to this is if you specifically provide consent for their name to be used in our newsletter in conjunction with an experiment or activities they have taken part in. To provide consent for the use of their name in this way you will be asked to complete a form designed to gather consent for this specific purpose.
Funding for the SAMHE project was provided by the Department for Education and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). SAMHE grew out of the CO-TRACE project (2021-22) which assessed the risk of airborne COVID-19 transmission in schools and evaluated the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Funding to continue the SAMHE initiative has been provided by Hertfordshire County Council and through the Royal Society's Partnership Grants scheme.
What does the monitor measure
The SAMHE monitors measure particulate matter (PM2.5), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with temperature and relative humidity. For more information about what we're measuring, why we're measuring it and how to make sense of your monitor's readings why not check out our guidance on interpreting monitor readings.
Data on the SAMHE monitor screen is in real time and is updated every minute. There is a slight delay of up to 2 minutes between what you see on the monitor and what you will see in the Web App.
It is not impossible but it is unlikely. Trees do give off lots of particular matter (PMs); for example, tree pollen is a PM but the particles tend to be relatively big. Most types of pollen would be expected to show up more in measurement of PM10 (we said 'relatively big' because PM10 is particles up to 10 microns in size, that is 1/100th of the millimetre on your ruler!). The SAMHE sensors measure PM2.5.
This is certainly something you could explore. We would expect that CO₂ levels and PM levels would go up as pupils move around more (more CO₂ due to heavier breathing, and more PM as dust from surfaces gets back into the air).
Accessing the Web App
Yes, you can access monitor readings via the Web App using any web-enabled device, as long as you have your username and password. However, it has been designed to look best on either a tablet or computer. No matter what kind of device you are using you can find the SAMHE Web App by heading to https://samhe.org.uk/app. The SAMHE app is a 'Web App' as opposed to a 'native' app which means it operates within a browser, rather than being something you need to download from an app store
Yes, as long as they have their username and password.
Yes, if they wish to and they have their username and password
Unfortunately not, but if someone gives us more funding in the future, it is something we'd consider.
Interacting with the monitor
If you'd like to view data from your child's school's SAMHE monitor please get in touch with a relevant teacher at their school.
Ideally not! It's really important for our researchers to know what air quality is like when classrooms are not occupied (and your pupils might find it interesting too!). So please leave your SAMHE monitors switched on at all times, including outside of school hours and over school holidays.
Info for Teachers
The SAMHE monitor measures carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter, temperature, humidity, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). You can read more about these in our guidance on monitor readings. If there are particular monitor readings which are causing them concern, you may wish to encourage your students to complete the data detectives activity to find out more about them.
If your students are experiencing eco-anxiety, that is anxiety about effects of climate change, Hold This Space is a great tool for support and understanding, and they also have a list of resources that you and your students may find useful.
Get In Touch!
If you want to stay in touch by signing up for our newsletter, please complete the form below. (If you want to access the teacher resource pack, have a specific query about data, collaboration or media, please visit our Get Involved page to find out who to contact)
If you are under 13 then please ask your parent, carer or your teacher to submit this form on your behalf. If you are over 13 then you can send us a message yourself.
If you are experiencing technical issues with your monitor, please visit our Help Centre or use our Technical Queries Form.