Natural gas leaks pose a major yet under-addressed safety issue, leading to preventable explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning that have caused over 140 deaths in the U.S. since 2010. Current detection systems remain limited in accuracy and accessibility—especially for odorless, lighter-than-air natural gases.
To address this issue, youth can co-design and validate a low-cost, high-sensitivity gas sensor capable of early leak detection to prevent household fatalities. By dedicating the winter term to optimizing and safely testing this prototype, the goal is to advance an innovative detection mechanism that enhances real-time safety for homes and communities worldwide.
Join us at UNESCO and UN University co-led Learning Planet Festival 2026 to drive collective innovation, solution and action!v
