| Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity as exemplified in the life, work and influence of Charles Darwin. Darwin Day seeks to promote a better understanding of science, the scientific method, and evolutionary biology, in particular. Darwin Day is celebrated on or around February 12, Charles Darwin's birthday. |
| Darwin Distorted: The misuse of a scientific idea |
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Evolutionary theory can explain and organize much of what we know about the living world. It can also be grossly misused. Evolutionary theory has been used in the past to justify everything from social darwinism, to immigration restriction, to the Nazi genocide. We will explore what makes an idea scientific, how those ideas should be used, and how they shouldn't be. This remains an important topic, particularly in the current age of genome sequencing and DNA fingerprinting.
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| (Please return here to see the updated schedule as we add events. Updated February 8, 2005 ) | ||
| January 31- February 18, 2005 | ||
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4th Floor Gumberg Libray Display Case
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Eugenics Book Display Books and archived images will be on display from the early 20th century showing the kinds of thinking prominent during the heyday of the eugenics movement.
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| Friday, February 11, 2005. Darwin Day! | ||
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4-6 PM 2nd Floor, Mellon Hall, East End
7-8 PM Pappert Lecture Hall, Bayer Learning Center |
Biology Mural Opening Reception (Duquesne Community) The Biology Mural, occupying 360 square feet of wall, artistically depicts two central tenets of biology - the Diversity of Life and the DNA Basis for this Diversity. Kristin Williams, the artist, has intertwined 42 organisms from viruses to corn and from monkeys to yeast into a DNA molecule. The mural will be formally opened with remarks from the artist.
Public Lecture (free and open to the public) Dr. Garland Allen, Department of Biology, Washington University " Eugenics and the Control of Human Evolution: The Misuse of Darwin and Mendel" The abstract of Dr. Allen's talk can be found here. A link to recent Post-Gazette coverage of this event can
be found here. Dr. Allen recommends the following references for those who
are interested in the evidence for gene-behavior links.
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| 8-8:30 PM | Discussion following Dr. Allen's lecture | |
| 8:30-9:00 | Reception for Dr. Allen in the Bayer Learning Center Lobby | |
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9:00-11:30 Pappert Lecture Hall, Bayer Learning Center |
Movie presentation and discussion (free): "GATTACA" This film portrays a world in which a person's role in society is determined by their genes. We will hold a brief discussion before and after the film on technology portrayed in the movie and its implications.
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| Six hours of Act 48 credit for primary and seconday school teachers is available this year through the Darwin Day program. Click here to find out what is on the program and how to register. There is NO registration fee. Registration ends February 10!! |
| Click here for links that will help you learn more about evolutionary theory. Also, visit the Gumberg Library Darwin Day Websites highlighting various Darwin Day related material and selected books by Darwin, about Darwin, and about Darwin's influence. |
| Click here to learn about our previous Duquesne University Darwin Days |
| Test your knowledge of
Evolutionary Biology: Take the
Darwin Day Survey! |
| Surprised that we do this? You shouldn't be. Find out why. |
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Gumberg
Library Darwin Day Web Site, For more information contact Dr. David Lampe (412-396-6322)
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| Overtons Marine Hits since 12.17.04 |
