A presentation in the
SkepTalk Speaker Series
sponsored by the
Bay Area Skeptics

Sponsored by
Eastern Illinois University
Darwin Day 2012
presented by the Biology Department

Steven Newton, a programs and policy director at the National Center for Science Education, explores the evolution of American creationism and how anti-evolution activities have changed from the Scopes era to the present. Newton will explain creationism's many faces, from dinosaurs-lived-with-humans young earthers to 'intelligent design' advocates to legislators promoting 'academic freedom' legislation. Newton's talk will examine why teaching evolution--and science in general--is so important, and suggest ways for the pro-science community to counter creationist assaults on science education.

A discussion of the answers Miss USA contestants gave when asked for their views on evolution education.

This is a presentation in the
Weekly Sunday Forum
of the
Humanist Community in Silicon Valley

This is the lead-off event of
Eastern Illinois University's
Darwin Day 2012
presented by the Biology Department

Many topics in the curriculum of American schools are controversial, but perhaps the one with the longest tenure is evolution. Politics plays a role in this controversy in a number of ways. Politicians have keen antennae for cultural values, and the "fairness" argument (i.e., it is only "fair" to "balance" evolution with creationism) regularly is exploited, regardless of the appropriateness of its application to science education. Variants of the fairness argument such as balancing evolution with "scientific alternatives to evolution" or balancing evolution with "strengths and weaknesses of evolution" have in fact become the current predominant antievolutionist strategy, partly in response to a series of legal decisions that have excluded the advocacy of creationism in public schools.

A presentation for the
Anthropology Department
University of Alabama

Dr. Eugenie Scott and Emmy Award-winning director Greta Schiller will host a question and answer session following the film.

"No Dinosaurs in Heaven" is a film essay that examines the hijacking of science education by religious fundamentalists, threatening the separation of church and state and dangerously undermining scientific literacy. The documentary weaves together two strands: an examination of the problem posed by creationists who earn science education degrees only to advocate anti-scientific beliefs in the classroom; and a visually stunning raft trip down the Grand Canyon, led by Dr. Eugenie Scott, that debunks creationist explanations for its formation. These two strands expose the fallacies in the "debate," manufactured by anti-science forces, that creationism is a valid scientific alternative to evolution.

This is a free event.
Sponsored by
ALLELE
ALabama LEctures on Life's Evolution

Presented by the
Northern California Geological Society

A lively exploration of the role of science in theological education as we seek to inform tomorrow's clergy. Presentations by top scientists will be followed by small and large group discussions about moving forward with this endeavor. Emphasis will be on practical solutions with special attention to core courses.

Science presentations by:

• Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, Senior Project Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA
• Dr. James R. Doty, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford University

Discussion leaders:

• Dr. Peter M. J. Hess, Director of Outreach to Religious Communities, National Center for Science Education, Oakland, California
• Dr. Deborah Gil, Professor of Biblical Studies and Exposition, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
• Rev. Dr. Leonard Hummel, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg

The AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics & Religion
is partnering with
The American Theological Society
to host this additional meeting of the
American Academy of Religion
&
Society of Biblical Literature
Annual Meeting

The creationism and evolution controversy continues almost unabated by the legal setbacks suffered both by the creation science and intelligent design movements. Although legal decisions have prevented de jure teaching of creationism, de facto teaching of creationism continues as teachers are reluctant to teach evolution without “balance”, and because recent creationist strategies attempting to avoid Establishment Clause constraints have not yet been tested in the courts.

This is a talk and a panel discussion at
CSICON
a conference sponsored by the
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry