ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are hosting two of more than 370 March for Science events across the country to call attention evidence-based policy and non-partisan reasoning.

There are 14 events taking place throughout Michigan on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, and more than 500 marches worldwide to join scientists, researchers and inventors on a united front. The only requirement for participants? To believe in empirical evidence.

Goals for the March of Science include the humanization and support of science, advocating for open and accessible science and the affirmation of science as a democratic value, according to the March for Science national website.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the March for Science in Ann Arbor, which starts at noon on Saturday, April 22. The event kicks off with a rally at The Diag on the University of Michigan campus and ends in front of the Federal Building, 200 E. Liberty St.

Caitlin Priest, 23, is a UM graduate and research assistant in the Department of Surgery. She is now helping run the March for Science-Ann Arbor Facebook page after being approached by organizers of the Lansing rally. She has been encouraged by the reaction the event has received.

"I think you're seeing this wave of activism coming through," Priest said. "It's great to see people get active."

UM graduate Crystal Cole, 22, had just attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C., when she heard about the March for Science and decided to volunteer her efforts.

"I was really excited to get involved with something at that point," Cole said.

Mikel Haggadone, 24 and a doctoral candidate at UM, joined shortly after and helped connect the group with Haley Amemiya, a 22-year-old doctoral student and president of the Association of Women in Science at UM.

Her organization has served as a sponsor, helping reserve The Diag and organizing a sign-making party before the event. It is open to UM students and the public but RSVPs are required.

The Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave., is hosting Kids' Earth Day activities from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 21, where children can try different science and art projects and make their own signs for the March for Science.

The group said they hope the event will encouraged people to share how science has impacted them and inspire the next generation of doctors, researchers and inventors.

Cole pointed out Ann Arbor and Lansing are predicting strong showings because of the large student populations in both locations, but said everyone has a reason to attend.

"There are a lot of really personal reasons why people are marching," Cole said. "Our end goal is giving somewhere for people to come to and stand up for what they believe in. People need a forum and this provides that."

Some people are sharing their reasons for being at the March for Science, from childhood memories exploring the Great Lakes and the forests nearby or the knowledge gained from learning about the world around them.

One person posted pictures of signs with slogans like, "Our Great Lakes need the EPA" and "Stop Asian Carp."

"I think it's a cause people can get behind," Priest said.

Speakers include:

Rep. Yousef Rahbi, state representative for the 53

Monica Dus, associate professor of molecular, cellular and development biology at UM

Scott Barolo, director of the biomedical sciences program at the University of Michigan Medical School

Dan Ezekiel from the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

Yiran Emily Liu, an undergraduate researcher at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

Chiamaka Ukachukwu, a University of Michigan M.S. candidate and Fulbright Scholar

Amemiya is also speaking at the March for Science, and intends to make everyone feel included at the event.

"I want to focus on the natural curiosity shared by people, and how science should be more accessible than intimidating," Amemiya said. "We are all curious and can all relate to this."

That's what organizers of the Ypsilanti March for Science are also aiming for, with a rally starting at 3 p.m. at the Mark-Jefferson Science Complex on the Eastern Michigan University campus and ending at Riverside Park.

Organizer Kate Baker is graduating from Eastern Michigan University that day, with a bachelor's degree in biology. She was part of the Ypsi/EMU Women's March Huddle, a group inspired to take part in the March for Science.

"We wanted to do something more than just write postcards and speak to our representatives. Even though those are powerful things to do, we were itching for something more," Baker said.

She encouraged people to park on the EMU's campus, bring posters and check the March for Science-Ypsilanti Facebook page for more information. It is a family-friendly event, she said, and a nonpartisan and peaceful march.

It is open to anyone in Washtenaw County wanting to help raise awareness of how many people care about science in the community, Baker said.

"The takeaway is for people to become more active locally, from their school boards to their local elected officials to policy, to make sure science is included in the discussion," Baker said.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn; Ypsilanti Council Member Lois Richardson; Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for the Michigan gubernatorial race and local activist Eli Savit are expected to speak at the Ypsilanti March for Science.

Something familiar uniting the events is a Pincause design by Indianapolis artist Penelope Dullaghan, featuring the message "Science, Not Silence." More than 21,000 pins have been sold.

More than 12,500 pins sold! The Official March for Science Pin is taking off 🚀 Get yours today from Pincause at Pincause.com and show your support for #ScienceNotSilence! Artwork by Penelope Dullaghan Posted by March for Science on Thursday, April 6, 2017

Kate Lind is one of the co-founders of Pincause, which also designed the official pin for the Women's March.

The March for Science pins are being sold at five different Ann Arbor businesses:

16 Hands at Kerrytown Market & Shops, 407 N 5th Ave.

Bivouac, 336 S State St.

Heavenly Metal, 208 N 4th Ave,

Rock Paper Scissors, 216 S Main St.

The GetUp Vintage, 215 S State St.

"We're really excited to have the pins have a presence here, with so many amazing scientists in the area," Lind said. "We love our Ann Arbor partners and supporters."

A portion of the proceeds from pin sales are being donated back to the national March for Science, Lind said, to go toward scientific advocacy and event costs.

"They're going to continue working on that after the time of the march," Lind said. "We're just really excited we are able to support and bring people together for causes."