By Shane M Hanlon

I’m a scientist who teaches scientists how to talk to non-scientists. I recognized the need for this type of instruction years ago when I was still a graduate student. Even when I first got my position in the Sharing Science program here at AGU, scientists were increasingly aware of the need to be able to effectively communicate their science to broad audiences but many were still hesitant or didn’t quite see the need for them to be the communicators. “I think this is important but I don’t want to do it…” was (is) a common refrain that I’ heard from fellow scientists. Then something changed.

The March for Science sprang up from tweets from some scientists who were encouraged by the Women’s March in January. What started as a small movement ballooned into over 600 marches that were held around the world. Numerous scientific and non-scientific organizations supported the March for Science, including AGU.

Logistically, the March for Science wasn’t just a march. It was a weekend science-extravaganza. My role began Friday afternoon at pre-march events at AAAS headquarters. The day of the actual march, we hung out with hundreds of fellow scientists in pre-march events, rallied on the National Mall, and finally marched for science. It was unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced and I’m proud to have been a part of it. But now that the March is over, we’re back to business as usual, right? Wrong. Now we go to work. Now we take action.

Building on the momentum of the March for Science, we’ve identified numerous ways for scientists to stay engaged and be a strong voice for science, for example:

• Tell AGU your story of science and its impact on society, so we can share it even more broadly.
• Send a Science Is Essential postcard to your legislators.
• Sign up for the Sharing Science workshop.
• And so much more!

Learn how to take action now at sharingscience.agu.org/takeaction. The journey to ensure strong support for science isn’t over. It’s just begun.

-Shane M Hanlon is an AGU Sharing Science Specialist.