At Dordt University, undergraduate students Cameron Grimes and Daniel Garcia are investigating whether air pollution affects student achievement across the United States. Funded by the Kielstra Center for Research and Scholarship, this interdisciplinary project combines:
- Engineering
- Economics
- Environmental Science
- Education
- Statistics
The initiative was launched by Dr. Jonathan Gingrich assistant professor of engineering, and Dr. Joshua Hollinger, associate professor of economics.
Analyzing National Data
The students are analyzing national datasets covering pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter alongside test scores and demographic data. They are:
- Mapping school proximity to highways and industrial sites
- using statistical modeling to isolate air quality’s impact from other factors.
Real World Research Experience
Handling hundreds of thousands of data rows offers a practical shift from routine coursework. For Garcia, who grew up exposed to air pollution in Honduras, the research carries personal relevance in cognitive health. Both students appreciate the open-ended nature of discovering the best answers through data rather than following strict classroom assignments.
Key Preliminary Findings
- Location Risk: Nearly 20 percent of U.S. schools are located within a quarter-mile of a major road.
- Academic Impact: Data links poorer air quality to lower test performance, even when controlling for race and free or reduced lunch status.
Looking Ahead
The professors hope the research highlights disparities affecting marginalized students and encourages communities to build schools in healthy environments rather than just on cheap land. The team plans to continue their analysis through the summer and publish their findings.
