The Air We Share

The Air We Share, a partnership between Sanofi and ASTC’s Seeding Action initiative, supports science centers and museums in the United States to engage with their local communities on the ways that environmental challenges like air pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat affect human health. Extensive research shows that these environmental threats harm our physical health—with especially significant impacts on respiratory health. The good news is that there are ways we can protect ourselves and our communities from these harms, by reducing our exposure to unhealthy air and addressing the underlying causes of air pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat.

Two people stand in the middle of a set of giant inflatable lungs

Madison Children’s Museum

Sanofi STEM Challenge: The Air We Share

 

The Sanofi STEM Challenge invites high school students to design solutions to the air quality challenges that are most important to their communities. Participating science centers and museums will host a two-day “hackathon” event for youth to research, design, and pitch innovative solutions to local air quality issues. During the local hackathons, high school students will learn about the ways that air quality affects health, especially in their community, and will conceptualize and pitch their solutions to local judges. The winning team from each participating organization earns an all-expenses-paid trip to Boston to compete on a national stage as part of the ASTC Annual Conference in 2027. 

We are in the process of reviewing applications for organizations to host the Sanofi STEM Challenge in 2027. 

Organizations left image

The fourteen science centers and museums that have been selected to participate in The Air We Share cohort are engaging with their local communities on the ways that environmental challenges like air pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat affect human health. Their projects support individuals and communities to take action to improve air quality and respiratory health.​​

 

Air Pollution: What Can We Do?

There are many things that individuals and communities can do to address the sources of air pollution and keep themselves safe. Click on the image to the right to download the full resource, which includes additional information about air quality and air pollution, with a focus on actions we can all take.

Infographic titled "Air Pollution: What Can We Do?" from "The Air We Share." It covers four topics: (1) Sources of pollution — vehicles, wildfires, extreme heat, and buildings; (2) Prevention strategies — use alternative transportation, prevent and manage wildfires, plant trees and green infrastructure, and reduce pollution from buildings; (3) What air pollution is — ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide; (4) How to protect yourself when AQI is high — use an air purifier, wear a mask, talk to your doctor, and reduce outdoor physical activity.
Sanofi logo

Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

The Air We Share is the newest initiative of STEMulate Growth, Sanofi’s bold, overarching commitment to advance inclusion in STEM learning for students in historically under supported communities across the U.S. For more information on STEMulate Growth, visit our website.

The Air We Share logo: "The Air We Share" is written in purple with purple, blue, and green wavy lines to the right.