“Show us what a scientist looks like!” “This is what a scientist looks like!”
With the chants and cheers filling the streets of Washington D.C., it is safe to say that the scientists of the nation were heard. On Saturday, March 22nd, thousands gathered in various destinations around the world for the March for Science. This particular march in D.C. was hosted by none other than the fabulous Bill Nye, The Science Guy. I was lucky enough to catch a ride with TCNJ’s Science Department to the march, joined by a bus full of eager minds and passionate souls chanting: “What do we want? Science! When do we want it? After Peer Review!”
Though Mother Nature rained on our parade (literally), marchers weren’t phased. Scientists and science supporters from across the country unified to rally against President Trump’s policies.
Everyone had their signs held for the crowds to see, though most were inky messes due to the weather, the science community gathered together by the Washington Monument for shared causes such as climate change and the bees. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) were just some of the organizations represented on Saturday with a turnout that the scientists didn’t expect.
Though many were skeptical to mix politics and science, something that is usually avoided for obvious reasons, the March for Science was the science community’s chance to get mixing and show President Trump, and the rest of the world, that science matters (pun definitely intended).
Throughout the day, scientists could be heard chanting, “Who run the world? Nerds,” and boy do they ever.