Forty-three of the region’s schools are currently involved with the project — supplying them the latest environmental sensors — with this figure set to double as West Lothian schools join over the next month. It’s expected that the majority of the remaining 525 schools will also join in by the end of the academic year.

The project’s sensors, which can be used to measure levels of carbon dioxide, humidity, and light pressure, are connected to a specialist computer at the University of Edinburgh’s International Data Facility. The raw data produced by the sensors is then turned into accessible visual charts and graphs.

The IoT Schools Network was introduced in 2019 in a move to inspire students to consider STEM subjects and careers. According to the University of Edinburgh, experts have said that it’s already breathed new life into the region’s science classes, providing learners with the chance to explore and assess environmental data first-hand.

The project is backed by £9.5m in funding from the university’s DDI programme, which is part of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to drive the region’s growth. The aim of DDI itself is to institute the region as a European data capital through inward investment, entrepreneurship, research, and collaboration.

Commenting on the IoT Schools Network and its further rollout, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, said: “Data is all around us, shaping the way we live, work and engage with each other: our goal to make the digital sector more accessible to young people is therefore clear.

“The Internet of Things schools’ network aims to give pupils the confidence, competence and ambition to use data to benefit themselves and their communities in an ever-changing digital world.

“Today, even more schools are taking part and by the end of this school year we will have rolled the project out to the vast majority of south east Scotland’s local authority schools, making it Europe’s largest IoT network.”

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Neil Gray, the Scottish Government wellbeing economy secretary, also commented: “Internet of Things technology is transforming how we all live our lives, from checking the weather to inspiring green growing walls to improve the school environment.

“This Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal-funded project demonstrates to the next generation the value of science and technology.”

“By turning cutting edge research into businesses, we are supporting the entrepreneurs of the future and helping achieve the vision set out in the National Innovation Strategy for Scotland to become one of the most innovative small nations in the world over the next decade.”