March For Science Student Participants Aim For Change

FERNDALE, MI — Sammy Saperstein is under no illusion that next month’s March For Science will change the world. But he and a group of seven other area high school students will be heading to Washington, D.C., in hopes that President Donald Trump and his administration will at least listen with an open mind.

Climate change. Clean water. Pollution. All of these issues are weighing heavily on the minds of Saperstein and friends Alex Hicks and Dylan Milton. That’s why they’ve spent the past month organizing and planning the trip to the nation’s capital.

“As young people,” Saperstein said, “we’re possibly even more concerned because it will be us and the next generations that will have to deal with what is happening right now. This is a big issue for a lot of people.”

March for Science will be held on Earth Day, on April 22. Nationally, a non-profit organization was formed to demonstrate passion for science and sound “a call to support and safeguard the scientific community,” according to the March For Science website. “Recent policy changes have caused heightened worry among scientists. The incredible and immediate outpouring of support has made clear that these concerns are also shared by the support of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.”

The non-profit said nearly 400 marches and rallies are planned in 37 countries thus far. In Michigan, Hicks said satellite marches will be held in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Like Saperstein, she’s worried about what’s happening in Washington, too, such as proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“I’ve been looking for more ways to become politically involved,” Hicks added. “I think this is a good opportunity.”

Milton, a Berkley High senior, said he doesn’t think Trump’s administration is taking climate change seriously. Not taking steps to protect the nation’s waters simply doesn’t make sense to him.

“I’m hoping we can create a strong focus on this issue,” said Milton, “and create a better future.”

Saperstein, also a Berkley senior, Milton and Hicks, a Ferndale High junior, all attend STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes together along with students from several other small districts. Hicks spotted the March For Science onFacebook and asked her friends if they would be interested in go.

Both agreed, and the planning began in earnest. They even set up a GoFundMe site to help raise money for the trip. At first, the cost per person was going to be about $250. But some logistical wizardry by Hicks and free places to sleep for the group have that number down to less than $100 per person.

To date, Hicks said they’ve raised about $700 from the GoFundMe campaign and a bottle drive. The group will leave on April 20 and drive overnight via bus to arrive the next morning in Washington, D.C. Hicks said they will spend the rest of that day sight-seeing and then join the march on Saturday, April 22.

Saperstein is looking forward to the trip. But, again, his expectations are realistic.

“I don’t think this march will lead to an overhaul of climate change policy,” he said. “But I do hope it will spark a national debate.”

“I’m excited,” added Milton. “It’s going to be great to be a part of something I think is important. If I can change the mind of one person, that works for me.”

Photo by Scott Daniel (Patch Staff)