As the March for Science has drawn near, scientists and science-lovers across the country have pontificated at length on why they are—or aren’t—marching. But while today’s 400-plus demonstrations around the nation will hopefully resonate with lawmakers, it takes more than rallies to accomplish lasting change. The following is a guest post from Dr. Kira Krend, a biology teacher in Honolulu, HI, on her March for Science—one that she does every day.
13,407 steps.
The display on my fitness watch tells me that this is how far I’ve walked so far today. It’s only 2:33 pm. I haven’t finished setting up for the lab tomorrow, and a stack of ninety-eight tests sits on my bag so I don’t forget to bring them home to grade tonight. In the next five minutes, I have three students stop by:
“Dr. Krend, can I come to class 30 minutes late tomorrow?” (No.)
“Hey Dr. K., do you have any food?” (I have some apple slices. No? Okay.)
“We found a baby bird downstairs, can you come help us with it?”
Sigh. That last one’s going require me to walk a lot more steps. Setting up for the lab is going to have to wait.
I’ve been watching my liberal scientist-filled Facebook feed blow up with March for Science posts since January. I appreciate the creatively knitted caps, witty slogans on signs, and inspiring reasons they are marching for science around the world on Earth Day 2017. I have no problem with the march today; in fact, the profound belief in the value of the intersection between science and public has been a driving factor in my life.
I decided to march for science before it was cool: I am a Ph.D. who chose to teach high school biology.
Here is my story. Continue reading “Why I March Every Day”
