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Abstract
The advent of low-cost air quality monitors makes it possible to collect air pollution data at more localized spatial scales. In theory, this would allow researchers to calculate a person’s exposure at the local level. At this level, source identification needs to be more precise - are there local sources in a community that are unknown to researchers but common knowledge among the members of that community? Using crowdsourcing methods and game-based learning strategies, an online board game was developed to identify local air pollution sources that are unknown to researchers and public health experts but known to members of the local community. The game was also designed to promote air pollution awareness and address common misconceptions. The initial pilot of the game was based on the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus and used pollution data of the area. The game received enough participation to be a successful proof-of-concept. Through heat maps, surveys, qualitative analysis of gameplay recordings, and in-game results, the players’ source suggestions, developed during gameplay, provided potential air pollution sources for researchers to further investigate at the University of Connecticut campus. The game provided both quantitative and qualitative data for air pollution experts to consider. Examples of potentially overlooked sources included a sideroad frequented with idling police cars and an area of campus that has heavy motorized scooter traffic. While the game was successful in providing an opportunity for players to give source suggestions, feedback from participants indicated that the gameplay itself was disconnected. Both rounds of the game contained different rules and strategies, causing minor confusion for players. Future steps for this project include connecting gameplay between rounds, clarifying the rules, and allowing players to more easily suggest sources. Future iterations played by other communities would require preliminary air pollution data and neighborhood maps to create the game board for each new location.
