Science teachers to join march to oppose what they see as threat to quality education
undreds of California science teachers – and plenty of their students, as well – will take to the streets Saturday to defend funding for science research and programs and education, which they say are increasingly under attack.
The March for Science, organized by about two dozen scientists at universities and laboratories across the country, will be held April 22 in Washington, D.C., with about 500 satellite marches planned around the world. Forty-one marches will be in California, with large events slated in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego and smaller marches happening everywhere, from Palm Springs to Redding.
The California Teachers Association, California Science Teachers Association and National Science Teachers Association are all urging their members to participate, saying proposed cuts to school funding and the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal science agencies are a threat to high-quality science education for young people. The teachers groups also oppose proposed policy changes, such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and cutting funding for the enforcement of clean air and water laws.
“The overall climate right now for science – and science education – is frightening,” said David Evans, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, which plans to bring a large contingent to the Washington, D.C., march and is a co-sponsor of the event.
“Science itself is critically important, but underpinning that is science education. It’s something we very much need to fight for,” said Evans, a former math and science Science teachers to join march to oppose what they see as threat to quality education | EdSource:
