Promoting Educational Equity Through Environmental Awareness

I’m Thomas Franklin, a student at New Trier High School and advocate focused on how environmental factors shape learning. I founded Ban the Blower after noticing that the noise generated by gasoline-powered leaf blowers was disrupting classrooms and limiting students’ ability to concentrate. What started as a personal observation evolved into a research-driven initiative that examines how chronic noise pollution impacts cognition, attention, and overall learning environments.

At its core, this work is about educational equity. Not all students experience the classroom in the same way. For those who are more sensitive to sound, including students with ADHD, sensory processing differences, or language-based learning needs, environmental noise isn’t just a distraction; it’s a barrier to learning. By tackling noise pollution in school settings, I aim to foster learning spaces that are more accessible, inclusive, and effective for all students.