Dear Ciencia Puerto Rico Family,

I write this message to you with regret, dismay and anger. The recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor — and too many more before them — have once again exposed the urgent need to work towards inclusion, fairness, justice, and respect for all.

The Ciencia Puerto Rico network owes its strength and dynamism to its diversity and the inclusion of all those who identify with our mission. We express our sincere empathy and solidarity with those who suffer and fight injustices, especially in these moments with members of our community who identify as Black, Afrolatinxs or Afrodescendants.

[UPDATED JANUARY 14, 2020 AT 7:22PM PT]

If you work at an academic or educational institution outside of Puerto Rico, there are a number of ways in which you can help. In addition to considering donating, or volunteering your expertise or science communication skills, you can also advocate to your university to 1) support relief efforts in Puerto Rico or 2) make accommodations for students and trainees applying to educational or research programs. We recommend you send the message below to Deans of Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate School, Diversity and Inclusion, Student Affairs, etc. 

[UPDATED JANUARY 23, 2020, 12:02PM PT]

We recommend supporting Puerto Rico-based organizations that have the resources, trust, and know-how to work with local communities. This is a list of vetted organizations who are providing earthquake support and relief in Puerto Rico. 

MONEY DONATIONS

The following organizations are collecting money donations to help affected families and communities:

CienciaPR’s compass has always been to promote the advancement of Puerto Rico through science. Although 2017 and 2018 were full of challenges, they also presented examples of strength and resilience that reinforced our commitment to empower and serve. As testimony of all we can achieve when we place science at the service of Puerto Rico, we are proud to share CienciaPR's biennial report.

After a long career in the skills of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the RUM Air Design team of the Mayagüez University Campus (RUM) will participate, for the first time, in the Advanced Class category, whose challenge is to simulate a space mission.

Read the full story in the Spanish version