East Lyme — The science of storm water, pharmaceuticals, water sampling and quantum physics will be among the topics attendees will be able to learn about Saturday at the March for Science Southeastern Connecticut.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. at McCook Point Park with activities for children run by the Connecticut Audubon Society and the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, among other groups. The march portion of the East Lyme event will start at 11 a.m. at Hole-in-the-Wall beach, continuing along the Niantic Bay Boardwalk to Cini Park, just over a mile.

The march is one of about 400 satellite events that are a part of the national March for Science Saturday in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the March for Science, which coincides with Earth Day, is to advocate for science and the importance of using science-based evidence in policy decisions. The event's motto is: "Science not silence."

Deb Moshier-Dunn of Waterford, who is organizing the East Lyme event with Bill Yalen of Groton, said speakers and volunteers include environmental engineers, teachers, scientists from Millstone owner Dominion Resources and pharmaceutical firms, and Itancan Wasaka, a Native American physicist.

Moshier-Dunn said that at the end of the march, she will provide information to attendees about further actions they can take to advance the cause.

Yalen said the march is "strictly non-partisan...but not apolitical."

Its primary goals are to raise public awareness and involvement about the importance of science in people's lives, to send a message to government officials, and to start a sustained movement, he said.

"The primary goal, in fact, is explicitly political: to make it clear to our government officials — from the town council up to the president of the U.S. — that we expect rational evidence-based policy decisions for the benefit of all," he said. "The message is: You work for us. We have our eyes on you. Respect truth and do what's right."

All supporters of science are encouraged to attend, Yalen said, adding that the southeastern Connecticut march is a "100 percent completely organic grassroots local community-based event.

"All the organizers and volunteers are from southeastern Connecticut. No money has been provided from anywhere else," he said.

Marchers should park in the lots at McCook Point Park or the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5849 at 39 Columbus Ave., downtown or at Cini Park, she said. The lot at Hole-in-the-Wall beach is being reserved for handicapped parking.

For information on the southeastern Connecticut march, visit: https://facebook.com/marchforscienceSECT. For information about the national march, visit: http://www.marchforscience.com/.

j.benson@theday.com