OPAL Air Centre

Join our science fun days and learn more about air pollution

Air pollution is an issue of global importance and understanding its impact on the natural environment is one of the biggest challenges facing biologists.

Understanding the impact of air pollution
The new OPAL Air Centre at Imperial College's Silwood Park campus in Berkshire is home to an experimental open top study chamber so we can expose plants to air pollutants, particularly ozone, in a controlled and measured way.

Our research is focussed on understanding the impact of pollution on individual plants, plant communities, and important ecological functions.

Open days and summer schools
We organise open days and summer schools so that groups can learn about the role of air pollution in shaping the natural environment and join in our scientific research. The aim is to help people develop a detailed understanding of this subject.

Get involved
Come along to a science fun day or summer school, or visit the Air Centre. We can also help you run activities in your own school or community, or arrange to visit you. If you are a teacher or leader of a youth or community group please contact us about setting up a talk or activities.

Visit the Air Centre page on the Imperial College website

March 2010 update - OPAL Air Centre on the road
The OPAL Air Centre took its road show 'Air Science in Science week' to selected schools in Hounslow during National Science and Engineering Week. We worked with children with behavioural and moderate learning difficulties at two schools in the borough, Lindon-Bennet School and Cedars Primary School.

Students benefitted from a unique opportunity to work with research scientists on a range of fun and interactive learning activities. If your school would be interested in a visit from the Air Centre staff use the contact details below.

Contact us
Emma Green: opalair [at] imperial [dot] ac [dot] uk