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Creationist Tactics in Misrepresenting the Science of Evolution

Time: 
10:30am
Date: 
November 2, 2010
Location: 
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting
Four Seasons Ballrooms 2/3
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado


Creationists regularly misrepresent geology, evolutionary biology, and other sciences. Although many creationist writings display frank ignorance of mainstream science, cleverer creationists cite legitimate peer-reviewed research in an effort to prop-up their conclusions with an assumed air of scientific respectability. However, they cite such research using very selective “quote mines” that always reinforce their anti-evolutionary positions, even as they distort the meaning and data of the original articles. Crucial details are omitted, caveats are discarded. Creationists also misrepresent peer-reviewed research with “anomaly mongering,” where they seize upon some minor observation, superficially irreconcilable with evolution, that they then proffer as irrefutable “evidence against evolution.” The intelligent design creationists are especially nimble in their use of rhetorical techniques to demonize Darwin and evolution, weakening public support for the teaching of evolution. Such techniques are rampant in creationist literature, and illustrate the importance of defending science from creationist assaults.

Presented in the session:
"Exposing Myths and Misrepresentations of Climate Change and Evolution Science: Strategies and Case Studies for Geoscientists, Educators, Policy Makers, and the Press"

For more information: 
Visit the GSA Annual Meeting website

Denialism in the Classroom: How to Teach Students Who Reject Science

Time: 
10:10am
Date: 
November 2, 2010
Location: 
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting
Four Seasons Ballrooms 2/3
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado


The K-16 classroom is one of the few places in our culture where students have the opportunity to learn about science as a process. Unfortunately, many students bring with them into the classroom a host of misinformation about the nature of science and most scientific topics, especially in politically-charged fields such as climate change and evolution. This talk suggests strategies for reaching and teaching students who reject these sciences, the first of which is to realize that such opposition will not be overcome solely by presenting factual information. Attention must be paid to misunderstandings concerning science itself, especially confusion over scientific terminology, such as the word theory. Teachers and professors should clarify why science is not a “worldview” or an alternative to a student’s religion. Because of the politicization of topics such as evolution and climate change, many students believe there is much evidence against the standard scientific views of these topics, and this misconception must be directly countered.

Presented in the session:
"Exposing Myths and Misrepresentations of Climate Change and Evolution Science: Strategies and Case Studies for Geoscientists, Educators, Policy Makers, and the Press"

For more information: 
Visit the GSA Annual Meeting website

USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo

Featuring: 
NCSE Staff
Time: 
6:00pm
Date: 
October 23, 2010
Location: 
National Mall
Washington DC

What is the universe made of? Why did dinosaurs go extinct? What do magic tricks and hip-hop have to with math? What can amphibians and reptiles tell us about the environment? What do engineers have to do with baseball? Find out at the first ever USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall. NCSE is an Expo Partner and will have a table there.

Explore science & engineering with hundreds of free, hands-on activities and over 40 science shows on three different stages. The two-day Expo is perfect for teens, children and their families, and anyone with a curious mind who is looking for a weekend of fun and discovery.

Build an underwater robot, chat with a Nobel Laureate, explore the science behind the magic of Hogwarts Academy and see a car that drives itself. From bugs to birds, kitchen chemistry to computer games, environmental monitoring to electronic music – the Expo has something for everyone and is completely free of charge.

The Expo is the pinnacle event of the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival to be held in the greater Washington D.C. area October 10-24, 2010. The USA Science & Engineering Festival is a collaboration of over 500 of the nation’s leading science and engineering organizations.

For more information: 
To get involved, visit the USA Science & Engineering website

USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo

Time: 
10:00am to 5:30pm
Date: 
October 23, 2010 to October 24, 2010
Location: 
National Mall
Washington DC

What is the universe made of? Why did dinosaurs go extinct? What do magic tricks and hip-hop have to with math? What can amphibians and reptiles tell us about the environment? What do engineers have to do with baseball? Find out at the first ever USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall. NCSE is an Expo Partner and will have a table there.

Explore science & engineering with hundreds of free, hands-on activities and over 40 science shows on three different stages. The two-day Expo is perfect for teens, children and their families, and anyone with a curious mind who is looking for a weekend of fun and discovery.

Build an underwater robot, chat with a Nobel Laureate, explore the science behind the magic of Hogwarts Academy and see a car that drives itself. From bugs to birds, kitchen chemistry to computer games, environmental monitoring to electronic music – the Expo has something for everyone and is completely free of charge.

The Expo is the pinnacle event of the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival to be held in the greater Washington D.C. area October 10-24, 2010. The USA Science & Engineering Festival is a collaboration of over 500 of the nation’s leading science and engineering organizations.

For more information: 
To get involved, visit the USA Science & Engineering website

How to Teach about Major Evolutionary Transitions

Featuring: 
Kevin Padian, Ph.D.


Time: 
9:00pm
Date: 
October 22, 2010
Location: 
California Science Education Conference
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, California


Most textbooks focus almost exclusively on microevolution --small changes at the population level. Few explore how we know about the evolution of major groups of organisms and their adaptations. Dr. Padian will focus on the importance of teaching macroevolution and effective strategies for doing so.

For more information: 
Visit the Conference Website

How to Teach about Major Evolutionary Transitions


Time: 
1:00pm
Date: 
October 22, 2010
Location: 
California Science Education Conference
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, California


Most textbooks focus almost exclusively on microevolution --small changes at the population level. Few explore how we know about the evolution of major groups of organisms and their adaptations. Dr. Padian will focus on the importance of teaching macroevolution and effective strategies for doing so.

For more information: 
Visit the Conference Website

Creationism: Evolution, Law, Education, and Politics

Featuring: 
Eugenie C. Scott
Time: 
12:00am
Date: 
October 11, 2010
Location: 
Chapman University School of Law
Kennedy Hall, Room 237
Orange, California

For more information: 
Contact: Brian Alters

Creationism: Evolution, Law, Education, and Politics

Time: 
4:00pm
Date: 
October 11, 2010
Location: 
Chapman University School of Law
Kennedy Hall, Room 237
Orange, California

For more information: 
Contact: Brian Alters

Science and Religion: Confrontation or Accommodation?

Featuring: 
Eugenie C. Scott, PhD (NCSE), Chris Mooney (author & journalist), & P.Z. Myers, PhD (University of Minnesota)
Time: 
10:00pm
Date: 
October 8, 2010
Location: 
Council for Secular Humanism
30th Anniversary Conference
Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA

A panel at the Council for Secular Humanism’s 30th Anniversary Conference.

For more information: 
Email Tom Flynn

Evolutionary Applications in Medicine and Public Health

Featuring: 
Louise Mead, Ph.D.

Time: 
8:00am
Date: 
October 8, 2010
Location: 
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center
2024 W. Main Street, Suite A200
Durham, North Carolina



New applications of evolutionary methods in medicine are being discovered at an accelerating rate, but few physicians have the training to leverage these approaches fully. This workshop will review how concepts and methods of evolutionary biology can be applied in medicine and public health. Dr. Mead will address the connection between evolution, medicine, and science education.

For more information: 
Visit the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center's website

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