Saturday, November 12, 2016

With the Election of Trump, We Need Science More Than Ever. Here's How You Can Help




In addition to undermining the progress made by women, the LGBT community, and others, we can expect a Trump Administration to  cut funding for the sciences.  Whether it's because President-Elect Trump doesn't care about science (as many close to him claim), or because Republicans think that it's not something the government has a right to be involved in, or because they don't believe in things like global warming, the sciences are going to be needing our support as well.

Once you've made a donation to someone like Planned Parenthood (in Mike Pence's name, of course), spare a little for the sciences as well.  Here's a list of science related organizations you can donate to, or consider donating to a local science museum, as they'll no doubt be needing the funds as well.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AKA the AAAS)  The AAAS seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people."

The Planetary Society  The Planetary Society sponsors projects that will seed innovative space technologies, nurtures creative young minds, and is a vital advocate for our future in space.

The Union of Concerned Scientists

Archaeological Institute of America  The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) promotes archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity.  The AIA supports archaeologists, their research and its dissemination, and the ethical practice of archaeology.  The AIA educates people of all ages about the significance of archaeological discovery and advocates the preservation of the world's archaeological heritage. 

There are also scientists who've turned to crowdfunding to pay for their work. Experiment is one site where you can donate to support scientists working on the next breakthrough.  Here's a journal article on how scientists can begin crowdfunding their research.  There is a hunger for science out there in the general public for science, and we need to make sure that it keeps getting fed.