A lecture on “Why the Fuss About Darwin and Evolution?” by Dr. Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at California State University, Fresno.
The event is free and open to the public in the Satellite Student Union (2485 E. San Ramon Ave.).
Scott, a foremost authority on evolution and the creationism/evolution debate, will discuss the controversy surrounding evolution and Darwinian theory education in grades K-12. She will discuss facts and fallacies of the debate and field questions from the audience.
Based in Oakland, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public school science education. The organization educates the press and public about the scientific, educational and legal aspects of the creation and evolution controversy, and advocates for good science education at local, state and national levels, according to its Web site. Its 4,000 members are scientists, teachers, clergy and citizens with diverse religious affiliations.
Scott’s Dec. 2 Fresno State lecture continues the local celebration of the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species …,” a book of scientific literature considered to be the basis of evolutionary study, said Dr. Paul Crosbie, associate professor of parasitology and evolution in the Biology Department and event coordinator.
The event is sponsored by the California State University, Fresno Consortium for Evolutionary Studies, the Tri-Beta Biology Honors Club, the National Science Foundation, Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, the Kremen School of Education, the Natural Sciences Student Club and Associated Students Inc.
For more information on the lecture, contact Crosbie at 559.278.2074.
