Sensing Change, an art installation based upon real, forecasted, and imagined changes in the local environment of the Philadelphia region, presents innovative methods of experiencing a local environment. Additionally, this exhibit connects those local concerns to a global change, while exploring the role of art in science communication. As part of Sensing Change the Chemical Heritage Foundation conducted life-story oral histories with atmospheric scientists, who devote their research lives to better understanding the complexities of particulate matter in the air, air quality, and emissions as each pertains to climate change. These scientists, literally, live and breathe their research. Encouraged to discuss themes surrounding particulate matter in the air, air quality, and emissions, the scientists also explored the complexities of visualizing unseen data for both scientists and the public. At its core, the atmospheric science oral histories explore fundamental scientific concepts, but, crucially, they foster a deeper understanding of the scientific lives underlying that science. These oral history interviews illuminate how and why these scientists conduct research on the environment and the ways in which their scientific understandings are impacted, modified, and changed by the public discussions surrounding air quality and climate change. Most importantly, the oral history discussions highlight the different ways in which scientists understand their fundamental research as having applied purposes. Many of the scientists interviewed feel a responsibility and a need to conduct research with an application; yet, they are not always the ones directly affecting policy or representing the science in front of the public. How do scientists at the forefront of our understanding about air quality and climate change understand the balance between fundamental and applied research.