STEM Education Institute Announcement: Tuesday Talk info

[Stem Account <stem@k12s.phast.umass.edu>]

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Institute
presents:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 4 PM
Hasbrouck Lab, Room 138, University of Massachusetts Amherst

"Evolution in America: A Short History of the First 150 Years"

Barry Werth
Northampton Writer

The U.S. is the world's most confused and divided nation regarding
Darwin's theory of evolution. Approximately one in two Americans denies
evolution and doesn't want it taught in school. Yet these same individuals
draw much of their political and social thinking from "survival of the
fittest." The other half accepts evolution as true, wants it taught, but
rejects it as an explanation for social behavior. This national
schizophrenia derives from the fact that while Darwin thought evolution
was neutral, Herbert Spencer, evolution's great popularizer, believed it
was directional - the law of all progress. I'll show how this situation
has developed in three broad historical phases -- early acceptance
followed by swift rejection (1859-World War I); eclipse (1920-mid-1970s);
and  revival (up to the present) - exploring the major struggles within
science, religion, society, and politics, race in particular.

The program begins at 4 PM; refreshments at 3:45 PM.
Parking available at the Campus Center Garage.
For more information, contact STEM Ed Institute at 545-0453

Next talk:  October 27, 2009, Eric Martz, Professor Emeritus,
Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, "DNA & Protein 3D Structure for
High School Teachers"