Turning Awareness into Action: Bringing The Air We Share to Communities
By Tasha Wright, Director, U.S. Volunteer Programs & Community Relations
Last fall, I shared how Sanofi and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) were coming together around a shared goal: making science more accessible and actionable for communities.
Today, I’m proud to share what that partnership has grown into.
The Air We Share is now launching across 14 science centers and museums nationwide, bringing air quality education directly into communities through trusted, hands-on learning environments. The initiative is rooted in new research conducted by ASTC, in partnership with Sanofi, which revealed a clear gap: while 9 in 10 parents are deeply concerned about air quality, far fewer feel equipped to take action.
This work is about closing that gap, turning awareness into understanding, and understanding into action.
Science centers and museums play a unique role in helping communities make sense of complex issues like air quality by turning science into something tangible, trusted, and actionable. Through The Air We Share, we’re leveraging a national network of institutions to meet families where they are and create a scalable model for public engagement rooted in curiosity, education, and community connection.
Rose Hendricks,
Executive Director of Seeding Action, ASTC
Launching The Air We Share at the Museum of Science in Boston
We officially launched The Air We Share at the Museum of Science in Boston today, bringing the program to life in a way that was both engaging and deeply human.
The event brought together voices from across generations, including Bill Nye, the Science Guy, a renowned science educator, and “Sean the Science Kid,” who represents the future of this conversation.
A standout moment was seeing Andrew Rodgers, a Boys & Girls Club of Boston member and high school student, take on the role of moderator and lead a discussion with Bill Nye about air quality, health, and his generation’s future.
Guests gather at the Museum of Science for The Air We Share launch, listening to Andrew and Bill Nye's discussion on air quality and its impact on respiratory health.
Andrew’s participation wasn’t just symbolic; it reflected exactly what this initiative is designed to do: give young people the confidence, language, and platform to engage with complex topics that directly impact their lives. By putting students at the center of the conversation, we’re not just teaching science; we’re helping shape the next generation of informed advocates.
That moment was intentional.
At its core, The Air We Share is about making science relatable and accessible not just for experts, but for families, students, and communities navigating these issues every day. By elevating intergenerational voices, we created space for learning to flow in both directions: from experts to young people, and from lived experience back into the conversation.
This is especially important for communities that have historically had less access to environmental health education and resources.
Bringing Communities and Science Closer Together: What Comes Next
What makes this initiative powerful is where it shows up.
By partnering with science centers and museums that communities already know and trust, we’re turning complex topics like air quality into interactive, accessible, and relevant experiences for everyday life.
Lungston - the friendly face of The Air We Share - is featured at the launch event at the Museum of Science while visitors explore interactive exhibits designed to make science more human, tangible, and engaging for all ages.
Following our Boston launch, The Air We Share will roll out to 14 science museums and centers nationwide, bringing these experiences to families in communities across the country. We’re especially excited about what this first cohort will unlock, giving us the opportunity to learn, adapt, and strengthen how we reach and support families through this work.
Looking ahead, we’re building on that momentum with the next phase of the initiative, including a national competition in 2027 that will invite students and communities to explore air quality solutions and bring their ideas to life.
This is how we move from a single moment to something bigger, grounded in community, shaped by learning, and designed to grow.
Explore More About The Air We Share
The Air We Share
Partnering to Inspire Students and Connect Communities
