To: Governor Janet Mills
Governor LePage: Reverse veto of climate science education!
We are extremely disappointed in your veto of the bill to stop adoption of high quality science standards for Maine students that includes climate science. It is a disservice to Maine kids, and denies them the high quality science education they need to succeed. We urge you to reverse course, and support adoption of Next Generation Science Standards.
Why is this important?
Governor LePage recently vetoed a bill that would have adopted new K-12 science standards that include climate science. For the first time, all Maine students would have been presented the evidence that supports the overwhelming scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. With his veto, Governor LePage is standing in the way of Maine kids learning the truth about climate change.
While Governor LePage claimed he vetoed the science bill for cost reasons, he was heavily lobbied by climate deniers to block the science standards. The opposition in Maine is part of a coordinated effort by vocal anti-science activists across the country to stop the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), almost entirely because the comprehensive standards include climate education.
The world-class NGSS were developed by the National Academy of Sciences, together with scientists and science educators from Maine and throughout the country. The Maine Science Teachers Association and Maine STEM Council strongly support the new standards, which are designed to increase scientific literacy among all students.
Science supporters have vowed to bring the bill back next year. But to prevent a repeat of Governor LePage’s veto, parents, teachers and science education supporters need to speak out to make it clear that Mainers support climate science education.
Please sign the petition to Governor Lepage in support of a high quality science education that includes climate science for Maine students!
While Governor LePage claimed he vetoed the science bill for cost reasons, he was heavily lobbied by climate deniers to block the science standards. The opposition in Maine is part of a coordinated effort by vocal anti-science activists across the country to stop the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), almost entirely because the comprehensive standards include climate education.
The world-class NGSS were developed by the National Academy of Sciences, together with scientists and science educators from Maine and throughout the country. The Maine Science Teachers Association and Maine STEM Council strongly support the new standards, which are designed to increase scientific literacy among all students.
Science supporters have vowed to bring the bill back next year. But to prevent a repeat of Governor LePage’s veto, parents, teachers and science education supporters need to speak out to make it clear that Mainers support climate science education.
Please sign the petition to Governor Lepage in support of a high quality science education that includes climate science for Maine students!