CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – In honor of Earth Day on April 22, the Champaign-Urbana community is invited to join a March for Science rally and People’s Science Fair, highlighting the vital role science plays in everyday life and advocating for increased support for scientific research.
The event is organized by Rise Up for Science, a newly formed science-advocacy group, in partnership with the University YMCA, which is also collecting donations to help support the day’s programming.
The rally begins at 3 p.m. at the Alma Mater statue (corner of Green and Wright Streets in Urbana), followed by a march down Green Street to Lincoln Square Mall, where the People’s Science Fair will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the southeast corner of the parking lot.
The March for Science rally will feature speakers addressing the importance of science and the consequences of recent funding cuts:
- Julie Pryde, CU Public Health Administrator
- Rev. Leah Robberts-Mosser, Lead Pastor at Community United Church of Christ
- Joy O’Keefe, Wildlife Ecologist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Scott Oswald, laid-off USDA Agricultural Research Service employee
Following the rally, the People’s Science Fair will provide fun and educational opportunities for all ages, with interactive booths and presentations covering a wide range of topics, including Bird banding, Illinois bat conservation, Wetland ecosystems, Insect biodiversity, Eco-emotions and mental health, Forest preserves of Champaign County, and Science advocacy.
With many federal agencies experiencing budget cuts and staffing reductions, organizers hope to foster community engagement and show solidarity with affected scientists and researchers. For general information, contact the organizers at uiuc4science@gmail.com.