Welcome to...
Darwin Week in Charleston!
February 12 - 17, 2001
 
 
 

• Lowcountry Hall of Science & Math
• Charleston Chapter of Sigma Xi

Schedule of Events:
 

Mon., Feb. 12	12:00 - 1:00 p	Citadel, Riverview.	Dr. Jerry Waldvogel, Clemson. "The Changing Role of Science in a Modern College Education"
"	5:00 - 6:00 pm	SciCtr. 123	Dr. Waldvogel. "Teaching evolution in a climate of controversy."
"	7:00 - 8:30 pm	EdCtr. 118	Panel Discussion: When God comes to Science Class... What's a teacher to do?
Tues., Feb. 13	4:00 - 5:30 pm	SciCtr. 112	Dr. Mitchell Colgan, Geology. "Darwin and the Voyage of Discovery"
Wed., Feb 14	4:00 - 5:15 pm	SciCtr. 112	Dr. Dana Cope, Anthropology. "The Descent of Man: Darwin & Human evolution"
"	6:00 - 7:30 pm	SciCtr. 112	Dr. Jaap Hillenius, Biology. "Neither here nor there - Evolutionary transitions in the fossil record."
Thurs, Feb 15	4:00 - 5:30 pm	SciCtr 123	Dr. Jim Carew, Geology. "Evolution & Creation Science, Fact & Fiction"
Fri., Feb. 16	3:30 - 5:00 pm	Road Trip!	Darwin Documents at the... Karpeles Manuscript Museum
Sat., Feb 17	9:00 - 12:00 n	SciCtr 345	Teaching Evolution: Hands-on Workshops for Teachers!

 

Depict Darwin Contest! Middle & High School Students: Want to win $50? Help us celebrate Charles Darwin Week by submitting  cartoons, portraits, sketches, etc. of Charles Darwin.  Size limited to 8.5 x 11 inches. All entries must be received by Thursday, February 8. Mail to: Lowcountry Hall of Science & Math 66 George St, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC  29424

 

Event Details:
 

• Monday, February 12, 12:00 - 1:00 pm.  The Citadel, Regimental Commander's Riverview Room.  Dr. Jerry Waldvogel, Department of Biology Instruction, Clemson University.  "An Evolutionary Perspective on the Changing Role of Science in a Modern College Education."  Dr. Waldvogel will use evolution as an example of the importance of why any well-educated person needs to understand the process  of scientific reasoning with its implications for scientific, medical and technological problems, social and political issues, and the like.   I will also play on the double entendre of how college education has changed over the years to reflect new a understanding of the world and our role within it.  I will make the emphasis be on the importance of critical thinking for each individual, and how  science (especially evolution) is a good example of this particular way of thought.  Lunch with the speaker to follow.  Contact Dr. Saul Adelman 953-6943.

• Monday, February 12, 5:00 - 6:00 pm.  College of Charleston Science Center Room 123.  Dr. Jerry Waldvogel, Department of Biology Instruction, Clemson University.  “Teaching Evolution in a Climate of Controversy.”  Despite overwhelming scientific evidence for both the pattern and process of a long history of change on Earth, teaching about biological evolution in public schools (even state-supported colleges and universities) remains a controversial topic.  Influential political, social and religious groups continually mount well-organized attacks on evolution’s central place in modern science curricula, all in the name of intellectual fairness and/or equal time for alternative, non-scientific explanations about the origin and diversity of life.  The recent decision by the Kansas state school board to make evolution “optional” in high school biology courses is but one well-publicized example of how the public misperceives science, and then imposes regulations on the science education community that are clearly not in the best interests of students.  Some argue that the sometimes combative tone of scientists in such debates also fuels a growing belief that evolutionists are not sufficiently open-minded regarding Darwin’s “species question”.  This talk will provide a brief history of the anti-evolution movement in America, describe currently popular arguments used by students and others against evolution, and offer some practical suggestions for non-traditional ways to teach about evolutionary theory in the college classroom.

 
• Monday, February 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm.  College of Charleston Education Center 118.  Birthday Party for Charles Darwin!  Followed by Panel Discussion: When God Comes to Science Class...What's a teacher to do?  A firm understanding of evolutionary science is fundamental to the modern curriculum.  But in the minds of many students, parents, and the community at large, the subject of human origins is intimately connected to religious faith. Should the classroom teacher directly address the contradiction that many students feel between scientific and religious world views, or simply pray that it doesn't come up? And what if it does?  Join Dr. Waldvogel for a panel discussion of this thorny dilemma. Moderating the discussion will be Charles Darwin himself, back to celebrate his 192nd birthday.  Dinner with speaker afterward, contact Rob Dillon 953-8087.

•  Tuesday, February 13, 4:00 - 5:30 PM.  College of Charleston Science Center, Room 112 (Note room change.)   Dr. Mitch Colgan, Department of Geology.  Darwin and the Voyage of Discovery.  The lecture will discuss the Darwin's early life and beliefs and how his visit to the Galapagos Islands altered his perception of the world.  Most of the lecture will focus on the Galapagos Islands and the observations that lead Darwin to write  "Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact that mystery of mysteries the first appearance of new beings on this earth."

• Wednesday, February 14, 4:00—5:15 PM.  College of Charleston Science Center, Room 112(Note room change).  Dr. Dana Cope, Anthropology and Sociology Department. “The Descent of Man”: Darwin and Human Evolution.   Dr. Cope reviews Darwin's ideas based on a fossil record that did not exist at the time.  He will also explore evidence for human evolution with an emphasis on the "ape"/human transition.

• Wednesday, February 14, 6:00—7:30 PM.  College of Charleston Science Center, Room 112 (Note room change).  Dr. Jaap Hillenius, Biology Department.  “Neither here nor there - evolutionary transitions in the fossil record”   The vertebrate fossil record provides a dramatic display of evolutionary transformation.  For example, over time changes in tooth shapes can be seen, limb proportions are modified, the fins of certain fishes become limbs.  This lecture will highlight some of these changes, and discuss some of the principles that appear to be involved.   Several transitional fossils will be discussed; particular attention will be given to the ancestry of mammals.

• Thursday, February 15, 4:00—5:30 PM.  College of Charleston Science Center, Room 123  Dr. Jim Carew, Geology Department. “Evolution and Creation Science, Fact and Fiction.”  Evolution provides a meaningful context in which to view the fossil record and the existing life forms on Earth.  Join Dr. Carew as he opens discussion on the legitimacy of the notions of “Evolutionist,” “Creationist” and “Creation Scientists.”

 
• Friday, February 16, 3:30—5:00 PM.  Trip to the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 68 Spring Street, Charleston.  Free Admission.  The Karpeles Library's Darwin Archive preserves letters, manuscripts, documents and publications discussing every aspect of his Theory of Evolution in detail, a major manuscript of Alfred Russell Wallace, and primary editions on evolution by Erasmus Darwin and other influential early thinkers on the subject.  Van leaves from the Science Center Loading Dock.  Happy Hour to follow.