ITHACA, N.Y. — The March for Science will be celebrated both globally and locally as demonstrators plan to gather on Earth Day, united in a mission to support and reinforce the role science plays in everyday life.
Ithaca’s March for Science will correspond with the global event, which states that part of their mission is to, “call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policymakers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.”
Added in their statement, national organizers explain that the march is “not only about scientists and politicians; it is about the very real role that science plays in each of our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world.”
Related: Get outside for Earth Day in Ithaca
According to their Facebook page, the Ithaca rally will feature science-based activities, presentations from local groups, students and scientists, as will include discussions about the impacts of science in everyday life. Local organizers are also planning to contact city officials to “provide insights into how we can help advocate for science generally in the public sphere.”
Marissa Zuckerman, Manager of Marketing and Communications at the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), helped to promote this year’s local March for Science.
“I personally believe the March for Science is about celebrating science with an ultimate goal of building stronger networks between scientists and the public,” she said. “I believe that every individual is capable of being a scientist in their own way, and has a right to scientific knowledge and education opportunities. We want science to be accessible and inclusive to everyone, and I believe that the march will encourage that.”
Zuckerman, who graduated from Ithaca College with a science degree, described herself as “a scientist turned communicator,” and hoped that this event would help connect science to the community she now serves through PRI.
In their Facebook description, organizers explain that “while we understand the motivation to attend this protest is primarily political for many, the main focus of this rally is to support science and research and raise awareness of the importance of including verified, peer-reviewed data in the creation of new public policy.”
Zuckerman said the march may be politicized, but noted some of the goals made on the national level. These included things like: strengthening the scientific community and its bond to the public, ensuring that policymakers are taking informed scientific evidence into consideration, making sure careers in science fields are being made available to underrepresented and marginalized people, and encouraging a quality science-based education for all children.
The march will begin at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Ithaca Commons at 12 p.m. and will conclude at 2 p.m. with a final address. Check out the route for the march, as well as their Facebook page for more details.
Photo courtesy of the March for Science Facebook page.