Visit the AAAS Force for Science website to follow the latest updates related to AAAS advocacy activities.
Scientists have participated in rallies like the one held in Boston on February 19 to support scientific endeavors and the benefits science continues to deliver. | Kathleen Bachynski
The American Association for the Advancement of Science unveiled on Tuesday a series of events and activities intended to promote the importance of science and its vital place in the nation’s policymaking process as part of AAAS’ role in the upcoming March for Science.
“The March for Science is a unique opportunity to communicate the importance, value and beauty of science, showcasing efforts to increase public support for science and highlighting the conditions necessary for science to thrive,” said Rush Holt, AAAS chief executive officer. “We encourage AAAS members and affiliated organizations to ‘be a force for science’ by participating in the March for Science and making it positive, non-partisan, inclusive and diverse.”
AAAS will kick off the events on April 19 with an hour-long webinar – Advocating for Science Beyond the March – that will explore how scientists, engineers and the scientific community can continue to advance scientific initiatives beyond the March for Science on April 22. AAAS encouraged interested individuals to sign up for the free event.
Saying “communicating the value of science has never been more important to human well-being,” AAAS will make an online science advocacy toolkit available on April 19 to provide scientists and engineers and science advocates with resources and information needed to advance science in the public sphere.
As a partner of the March for Science, AAAS also has scheduled a pair of communications and advocacy workshops on April 21 at its headquarters in Washington.
Speakers will engage and guide participants interested in contributing to science policymaking during the Catalyzing Advocacy for Science & Engineering Workshop. The Communicating Science Workshop is intended to help scientists and engineers hone their communications skills to enable them to more effectively discuss science and engage with the public.
The evening before the March, AAAS is hosting a reception and a comedy show featuring three scientists who moonlight as stand-up comics. The events will be held at the AAAS headquarters and are free and open to those who pre-register, on a first-come-first served basis.
On the morning of the March, AAAS is inviting participants to drop by its headquarters for a light breakfast and a pre-March gathering that will feature leaders in the scientific community. March participants also are encouraged to drop by AAAS’ science teach-in tent on the National Mall to partake in educational activities.
After the March, AAAS announced it will open its doors to weary marchers who may need to charge their mobile devices or receive a chair massage until 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. A post-March happy hour also will be held at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The March for Science is expected to coincide with events in more than 400 locations throughout the United States and around the world. The event is an outgrowth of a global movement meant to draw attention to the value of science and to encourage scientists around the world to stand up for science and commit to a renewed focus and active participation in communication and advocacy activities. For additional information on AAAS activities related to the March for Science, visit www.forceforscience.org/march-for-science.
[Associated image: AnubisAbyss/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]