The Scent education programme has been designed to introduce 11–12-year-old school students to the importance of environmental monitoring. The programme focuses on the significant role that each individual student plays in making a difference to the environment.

The programme engages students in local, national and international environmental issues and equips them with the necessary skills to observe, monitor and take action in their own environments. Through participation in the programme, students become active citizen scientists in their own environment.

The developed material is compatible with current curricula and can be implemented seamlessly in schools. The series of lessons can easily be incorporated into the science and geography teaching. The programme is designed to provide meaningful opportunities for cross-curriculum integration at the same time as meeting the learning objectives and developing required skills across subject areas.

Scent applies the train-the-trainer approach, which means that local teachers receive the requisite training and material that allow them to deliver the programme in their schools.

The programme is divided into three lessons empowering students to become citizen scientists. The first lesson introduces the students to relevant concepts and prepares them for the Scent Challenge. The second one sends the students out to complete the Scent Challenge, which involves the students observing and discovering their local environment. The third lesson brings them back to the classroom and lets them share and reflect on their findings.