"Understanding Air Quality Data in the Bay Area" - An Interview With Michael Flagg of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District

by Samantha Dvorin, Archie Williams High School 

Michael Flagg is a principal air quality specialist at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in the Ambient Air Quality Analysis Office Section. Prior to working at BAAQMD, Flagg worked at the EPA’s Region 9 Air Quality Analysis for 10 years where he was a national expert on air monitoring, quality assurance and control, and data analysis regarding federal policy decisions. He has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Flagg presented “Understanding Air Quality Data in the Bay Area" at the Marin Science Seminar. We asked him some questions about what he does.

1. How does air quality monitoring using professional high-tech equipment differ from monitoring with air sensors that any person can purchase?

The main difference is the purpose of the monitoring. The high-tech equipment the Air District uses in its air monitoring sites is used to track air quality over time, ensure compliance with health-based air quality standards, and provide accurate information to the public. Air sensors are typically used for collecting air quality data in lots of different places. Community groups use these networks to determine where air quality may be higher and use that information to advocate for a reduction in emissions. Also, the high-tech equipment is very expensive and takes full-time employees to run every day, while sensors are relatively cheaper and easier to operate.

2. What does a day at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District look like for you?

A typical day starts with checking my email for any new incoming requests for data analysis, input on different projects, or answering questions about air quality and air monitoring. Generally, I try to look a the most recent air quality data every day to stay informed about what is happening in the Bay Area. Most of my time is working on specific projects, like data analysis, working with community groups on air monitoring, or reviewing documents.

Image from Flagg's San Francisco Chronicle Article

3. Why do you think air quality and pollution management are so important?

Breathing clean air is a basic human right and the Air District's mission is to reduce air pollution for all Bay Area residents. This is especially important in communities of color that have experienced decades of environmental racism and are exposed to higher levels of pollution than other groups.

4. How has the world of air quality management changed since the emergence of new air monitoring technology?

It really has made collecting air quality data easier, which empowers people to understand the air quality in their neighborhoods and advocate for changes.

5. How is air pollution not only an environmental problem but also a social/equality issue?

Through policies like redlining, communities of color live in close proximity to more sources of air pollution than other groups. These communities experience disproportionate levels of exposure to poor air quality and as an agency need to work toward reducing air quality in the Bay Area in an equitable way - meaning we should be working to reduce air pollution in the worst areas first.

6. How can people get involved with improving air pollution and advocating for a cleaner world?

Engaging with all levels of government and advocating for clean air or working with community-based organizations to raise awareness about air quality and how to get local improvements are a few examples.

7. What advice would you give to a young person interested in environmental protection and air quality work?

Learn about air quality in your area and connect with like-minded people that are passionate about environmental protection, whether that be a group of friends or a local organization.

8. Are there any projects you are working on right now?

I am working on quite a few different projects, but right now I am working on a program called the Bay Air Center that provides technical support on air monitoring and air quality to local community groups that are interested in collecting data with air sensors or advocating for cleaner air in their community.

Learn More:

• https://www.baaqmd.gov/ 

• https://marinscienceseminar.com/understanding-air-quality-data-in-the-bay-area/ 

• https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2022/outer-sunset-air-quality/

"Video Games, The Metaverse and the Future of Science Education" - An Interview With Dane Lancaster of XR Marin

 by Samantha Dvorin, Archie Williams High School 

Dane Lancaster is the director of XR Marin, an organization that works to bring immersive education and VR technology to schools and other educational communities. He has a BS in Chemistry and was previously the CTO at the Marin County Office of Education.  On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Lancaster presented "Video Games, The Metaverse and the Future of Science Education" at the Marin Science Seminar. We asked him some questions about what he does.

1. How were you introduced to immersive education and the idea that students’ learning might improve with VR?

I have been interested in investigating how technology can enhance learning for many years.  I was introduced to virtual reality about six years ago when the first VR headsets were introduced by HTC and Oculus/Facebook. An app called theBlu had been released and when I tried it, I was blown away by the sense of presence and immersion while floating around in a coral reef abundant with sea life. I immediately saw the power of VR and imagined how similar immersive experiences could be used to

engage students in a range of subjects in the classroom. I have found that traditional learning combined with immersion, movement, and hands-on experiences in VR amplifies learning, as reported in a wide range of studies in the US and abroad.  

Community Night at XR Marin

2. What advice would you give to someone interested in implementing VR education at their school or institution? 

First, I would suggest that they try VR themselves. I have found that it is difficult to explain what VR is to someone who has not tried it before. Second, I would recommend that they connect with educators in the VR community who have implemented VR in the classroom. No use in reinventing the wheel or finding out the hard way how not to deploy VR in their subject area. Third, start small with a pilot. Maybe begin with one lesson augmented by an immersive experience and then if successful expand to additional topics. 

3. How do you persuade people that VR education is effective, especially with all the folks skeptical of the usefulness of the technology?

Again, I would select a few educational VR apps for them to try. Then I would provide them with the names of schools and universities that are effectively using immersive tech for education and include a list of research studies that describe the effectiveness of immersive learning experiences. Educational leaders will need data to understand why VR works to support any decisions they make to expend funds to purchase VR devices and apps. If possible, they should visit a local school or college classroom and talk with students and teachers about their impressions, pros, and cons.     

4. What is the best part of your job?

I have always been curious about learning science and how we can enhance learning. Immersive learning using VR is a new and exciting field. Sooooooo interesting to be at the forefront of this new frontier.  

5. What is the worst part of your job?

I sometimes wish the world would catch up faster. I am a bit impatient and find it annoying that others don't always see what seems obvious to me. But that's life!

 6. Have you always been interested in technology and STEM?

I have always been interested in how things work from atoms to cells in our bodies to stars in the universe.  My curiosity about those things and why we are here has yet to fade. 

7. How has your past work at the Marin County Office of Education influenced your current career?

I believe that education is the most important gift we can give to our fellow human beings. I have always been thirsty for knowledge. My 20 years at the Marin County Office of Education gave me the opportunity to get deeply involved in the interface between technology and teaching and learning.  One of the freedoms I was given was to introduce emerging technologies to students and the local educational community. Two of the most rewarding activities at the Marin COE were organizing the MARINOVATORS Maker Faire and founding the XR Marin Learning Lab and Training Center.

8. Are there any projects you are working on right now?

One exciting project XRMarin is working on now is the assembly of a group of high school students interested in participating in developing a VR experience demonstrating the impact of climate change on sea level rise in Marin. The students will have a variety of roles in the project including VR developers, 3D artists, storytellers, researchers, and social media managers. The goal is to work with the County of Marin government's Sea Level Rise group to produce an immersive experience that educates the community on the potential disruption to low-lying areas in Marin over the next 50 years and what steps can be taken to alleviate the results of sea level rise. The plan is to showcase the Marin Sea Level Rise VR Experience at the Marin County Fair next summer.  Let me know if you know anyone who might be interested in joining this project.

• Contact Dane Lancaster at dane@xrmarin.net, if you might be interested. Click here for more information about XR Marin

Teaser: Video Games, the Metaverse, and the Future of Science Education

Video Games, the Meta Verse, and the Future of Science Education Teaser

Edited by Eliza Gould

Talk Date: 9/28/2022

Video Games, the Metaverse, and the Future of Science Education Teaser from Marin Science Seminar on Vimeo.