Clean air, Health, and School Sustainability (CHESS)

Led by Boston University researchers, CHESS is a collaboration with the Boston Public Schools Department of Planning, Engineering, Sustainability, and Environment. The project was launched in 2022, funded by an Early Stage Urban Research Award from Initiative on Cities at Boston University and an Established Investigator Innovation Award from Boston University School of Public Health. 

"In January 2022, Boston Public Schools (BPS) launched an indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring initiative to improve indoor air in schools. BPS installed a network of 4,400 indoor and 118 rooftop sensors to capture real-time data on key air quality indicators. This data is publicly reported through an online dashboard and is used to make operational decisions, inform HVAC and other facilities investments, and educate the Boston community.

The initiative represents one of the most comprehensive IAQ monitoring systems in K-12 education nationally, serving nearly 49,000 students across 119 schools."

Center for Green Schools Case Study, 2025

Professor Partners with Boston Public Schools to Study Classroom Air Quality - SPH News

District-Wide Indoor Air Quality Monitoring at Boston Public Schools - Green Schools Case Study

Fabian and Walsh attend 2025 United Nations General Assembly, Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action. 

BPS Indoor Air Quality Sensor Program Enables Schools to Review and Respond in Real Time - BUSPH Interview (2025)

Indoor Air Quality Monitoring at Boston Public Schools - BUSPH Interview (2024)

Team photo at BU Institute for Global Sustainability (top left). Fabian presents at GreenBuild 2023 (bottom left). Team photo at Green Schools Conference 2025 (middle). Fabian interviews Walsh for BU 'You Are Why' campaign (right).