Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Two Illinois Public Schools Gain Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Systems

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/19/24

IAQ monitoring systems solutions provider Attune and the Illinois Chapter of ASHRAE recently partnered to provide new equipment to two K–12 public schools in Western Springs, Ill. Forest Hills Elementary School and McClure Junior High received Attune IAQ monitoring systems as part of an ASHRAE sustainability research project that began in February 2024.

The three-year initiative will include sensor installation to collect breathing data in areas like classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. It also entails workshops and educational materials for the district community, according to a news release. The monitoring devices will measure levels of airborne pollutants and maximize HVAC efficiency. Teachers, administrators, and even students will all have access to degrees of real-time and real-life data within the Attune online platform.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with D101 and ASHRAE to help educate students on indoor air quality in Chicago,” said Attune Co-Founder and CEO Serene Almomen. “The research from this project will improve the learning environments for students and teachers and the future of Chicago education.”

The research project will conclude in February 2027. ASHRAE will share annual results with the school district and will also compile a case study to be featured at the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas, the news release reports.

“This project combines the science and research from ASHRAE and the latest technology from Attune. It creates an excellent educational opportunity for the public schools in the district and is a leap forward in continuing education for the future generation,” said Sumayyah Theron, ASHRAE Sustainability Project Chair. “This sustainability project will help showcase indoor air quality in schools and will open up a dialogue on methods to improve it. Indoor air quality is an important component for healthy environments.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.