Central Florida March for Science events unite behind value of STEM

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida has long been a hub for developments in space, environment, medical and technology sciences. Residents have a direct influence in the future of STEM fields and hundreds are expected to attend local events Saturday in conjunction with the Washington March for Science to raise awareness that science affects everyone.

Popular scientist Bill Nye and his organization, the Planetary Society, have come out in support of the Washington march and will be participating in the event, which is expected to attract thousands.

It’s also no coincidence that more than 600 related events around the world fall on Earth Day.

“Realizing that our decisions here in Brevard affect our planet, especially with the Kennedy Space Center here, what we do here affects our world,” said Carla Bourtis, marine biologist and March for Science Space Coast co-organizer.

For the Brevard County event, marchers will gather Saturday at 1 p.m. at the American Space Museum in Titusville and march the half-mile to Space View Park for a rally.

The American Space Museum will open at 11 a.m. free of charge with family-friendly interactive science experiments.

Organizers have lined up local scientists and enthusiasts to speak at the rally from 1:30 p.m. to 4 at Space View Park.

Brevard native Tiffany Gray, a naturalist for the Barrier Island Sanctuary, said she will speak about the effects of climate change on sea turtles.

"Sea turtles are really vulnerable to climate change, especially here in Florida," Gray told News 6. "I will touch on the need to move our homes back to distance them from the shoreline."

Gray said developments building sea walls are squeezing out loggerhead turtle habitats along the beach.

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, where the Barrier Island Sanctuary is located, is like the "creme de la creme" for sea turtle nesting, Gray said.

The center staff teaches elementary students, with funding from a Florida sea turtle license plate grant, about sea turtle biology and the use of plastics.

Educators can apply for a Sea Turtle Academy trip with the Barrier Island Sanctuary on their website.

Speakers also include climate scientists, a physician and five Florida Institute of Technology faculty members, students and alumni.

FIT physics and space science department head Daniel Batcheldor will discuss the role of science in schools at both the Orlando march and in Titusville.

Batcheldor said he wants to see more scientists on their children's school boards.

"Educate yourself, educate your kids and, if you're in a position, get on a school board," Batcheldor said.

The astrophysicist said he got involved with both events because he sees disturbing signs in the school system possibly hindering future developments in STEM fields.

"I'm concerned about the current state of the K-12 education system," Batcheldor said. "It seems very misdirected, seems very examination-intensive. Taking an exam is not a skill you need as an adult and yet this what we train our young people to do."

Attendees will have a chance to talk with area scientists and look at research exhibits set up at the park until 4 p.m.

A county over in Orlando, people will gather at Lake Eola Park at 10 a.m. for an Earth Day festival and March for Science Orlando.

The Central Florida Earth Day festival includes exhibits about healthy living and solar energy, as well as food, activities for kids and more.

At the Lake Eola Amphitheater March for Science Orlando, organizers have lined up educators and scientists to speak starting at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., the group will lead a march around Lake Eola Park.

March organizer Mitch Emerson said he hopes the event brings people together against a time of "alternative facts."

"I think that we've become divided," Emerson said. "Science is always supposed to be something that's just true. It doesn't care whether you're liberal or conservative, and somehow, we've drifted further and further away from that."

There are many ways to foster science and support programs, including the Boys & Girls Club after school science program, Emerson said.

He wants people to come away with their own initiative, saying, "I'm going to take ownership of my community whether it's Orlando or my neighborhood."

The Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College is hosting a weeklong celebration of our home planet.

Earth Week 2017 concludes Saturday with a new planetarium show “Two Degrees: Earth on the Edge.” The show examines the changing temperatures of Earth and how climate scientists believe the planet has reached a “point of no return” because of greenhouse gas effects, according to the event page.

Much like the Women’s March in January, science enthusiasts have utilized social media to organize and gather support for their events. The main Facebook group has more than 830,000 members. Some are posting pictures of their signs they plan to carry and scientifically inspired outfits.

While the Women's March participants rocked pink pussy hats, March for Science group members have been sharing pictures of their knitted brain hats and DNA hats.

Bourtis said she first got involved with the Space Coast event through social media, but had never organized something like this before.

Bourtis and co-organizer Kristin Schmitz said they received guidance on planning and permits from the Washington organizers.

“Kristin said, ‘Come on and help,’ so I just kind of jumped in,” she said.

Bourtis, who spends her days wrangling a toddler instead of alligators now, said it was important that the Space Coast event also be family-friendly.

Kids will have plenty to keep busy Saturday. A balloon artist will be there and many of the exhibits will be interactive, including a sea turtle biology table.

"Science really affects everyone, no matter who you are," Bourtis said. "It can be fascinating and interesting to everyone."

Know before you go, links to local event pages and information:

March for Science Space Coast

March for Science Orlando

Earth Week 2017 at Seminole State College

Central Florida Earth Day

March for Science New Smyrna Beach

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