SUPPORTING SCIENCE AND SCIENCE EDUCATORS

WHEREAS, the pursuit of knowledge in the arts, humanities and sciences is an undeniable public good; and

WHEREAS, current political actors aim to specifically inhibit scientific study and communication; and

WHEREAS, science education teaches children and adults to think critically, ask questions and evaluate truth based on the weight of evidence; and

WHEREAS, many members of AFT locals are employed as scientists and/or science educators; and

WHEREAS, the greater public benefits from living improvements brought about through scientific study; and

WHEREAS, proposed budget cuts for national science agencies—including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—would reduce the volume and quality of scientific research in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the aforementioned budget cuts to national science agencies are being proposed in a political culture of science denial—particularly denial of human-created climate change—in which national science agencies have been ordered not to discuss climate change in their public outreach and on their websites; and

WHEREAS, tax dollars support scientific research, and withholding scientific results limits the public’s ability to learn from important developments and discoveries; and

WHEREAS, new policies threaten to further restrict scientists’ ability to research, and teachers’ ability to communicate scientific findings; and

WHEREAS, U.S. congressional bill HR 899 has been introduced to the 115th Congress to terminate the Department of Education on Dec. 31, 2018; and

WHEREAS, U.S. congressional bill HR 861 has been introduced to the 115th Congress to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency on Dec. 31, 2018:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will advocate for funding in support of science research, scientific hiring, science educators and agency application of science to management; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will oppose HR 861, HR 899 and any similar bill that seeks to diminish or eliminate programs or agencies that support scientific research or communication; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for increased funding to agencies that support scientific research or communication; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for legislation that will protect scientists and science educators against retaliation; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT opposes attempts to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency, freeze federal grant funding or otherwise obstruct researchers, scientists and other experts from performing their duties at public universities; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT supports the March for Science and other actions to raise awareness and initiate resistance against anti-science policies.