Charles Darwin proposed 150 years ago that living things have descended with modification from common ancestors by the process of Natural Selection. This is the key to understanding virtually every area in biology from biochemistry, to cell biology, to organismic biology, to population biology, to ecology. Evolution is the glue that holds biology together as a coherent science, making, in the words of a famous scientist, a "meaningful picture as a whole." Nonetheless, the teaching of evolution is a contentious issue in the United States today for reasons that touch upon religion, science, history, and – inevitably – politics. Dr. Eugenie C. Scott, authority on evolution and the creationism/evolution controversy, will help to clear the air about this publicly controversial, if not scientifically controversial, topic of evolution.

Dr. Scott will present the keynote address for the San Mateo County GeneConnection program annual meeting, “Molecular Evolution and Biotechnology”. Why do scientists believe that evolution is such an important component in the biology curriculum? What are the “big ideas” of evolution, and how should teachers present them so that students can see how evolution “makes sense” of biology?

NCSE Programs and Policy Director Josh Rosenau will present research on links between creationism and global warming denial at UC Berkeley's Center for the Comparative Study of Right-Wing Movements:

For years the opponents of evolution have cast their arguments as "science" – complete with research institutes, journals and media departments, typically financed by right-wing donors. Earlier this enterprise went by the name "creationism" and lately the tenets of creationism have been recast as "intelligent design." In recent years, the model of this opposition to evolution has been imported into the campaign against the science of global warming and the attempt to forge public policy to combat its effects. This talk looks at several key elements of this model. These include parallels in strategy and rhetoric between creationists and global warming deniers; the use of polling data to cast doubt on evolution and global warming; and seeking answers to the issues raised by evolution and climate change in Genesis.

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

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.

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"

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"

TAM, the Amaz!ng Meeting, is the biggest get-together in the Skeptical universe, and in November 2010, TAM comes to Australia. TAM features the best and most interesting, humorous and controversial Skeptics from around the world, and TAM Australia will be the largest event of its kind ever held here.

The line-up includes James Randi, Simon Singh, the entire cast of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe, Brian Dunning from Skeptoid, Krissy Wilson, Eugenie Scott, George Hrab from the Geologic Podcast, Dr Karl, Fred Watson, Rachael Dunlop and a host of other local and overseas skeptics and freethinkers. TAM Australia offers a variety of divertissements, from education and entertainment to the camaraderie and shared experiences you can only get at Skeptical meetings.

A “Shell seminar” presentation at the annual meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Claims are made that the various forms of creationism (creation science and intelligent design) are scientific, and that evolution is not. Similar claims are made that the evidence for evolution is poor, whereas the evidence for creationism is strong. What do scientists say about these claims? What should teachers teach when students, parents, or administrators make these contentions?

Twenty four lucky members will raft the full length of the canyon from Marble Canyon to South Cove, experiencing one of the most beautiful and majestic natural features on the planet.

Of course, as Eugenie Scott, NCSE's executive director, will inform the rafters, the whole Colorado plateau was laid down by the receding waters of Noah's Flood about 4,300 years ago, and the Grand Canyon itself was gouged catastrophically in a matter of days. Geologist Alan "Gish" Gishlick, former NCSE postdoc, will present the standard geological history of Grand Canyon to the rafters — and "they can make up their own minds."

NCSE's "Creation/Evolution Grand Canyon Raft Trip" is a wonderful way to learn about the creationism/evolution controversy in a fabulous natural setting.

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