The nation’s top experts in defending science education will host an open panel discussion on evolution and climate change at Chapman University. Leading activists in the controversy of creationism and evolution from the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) will form the panel, led by Dr. Brian Alters, Director of Chapman’s Evolution Education Research Center and also President of the NCSE.
“A well informed public is the first step to insuring that our future is in the hands of scientifically trained students capable of solving the problems of tomorrow,” said Dr. Alters “As one of the leading educational centers in Orange County, it is our responsibility to provide this education when possible. Bringing together leading experts involved in science education for a free event is a great opportunity for the public.”
The panel includes outgoing Executive Director of the NCSE Eugenie C. Scott who led the organization for the past 27 years. She is the author of Evolution vs. Creationism and is well versed in many aspects of that controversy including educational, legal, scientific, religious, and social issues.
Incoming NCSE Executive Director Ann Reid, a molecular biologist by training, who most recently was Director of the American Academy of Microbiology, will also lend her expertise on evolution and her vision for science education in schools as the event moderator.
Rounding out the panel will be climate change expert and atmospheric scientist Ben Santer of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Member of the National Academy of Sciences, and NCSE Board Member. He is best known for his statistical “fingerprint” methods that pinpointed the human role in global warming and climate change.
“We’re leaving behind a tremendous problem for our kids and grandkids,” says Santer. “My generation showed that humans are affecting global climate change, but we haven’t really done anything to solve this problem. Our kids need to be savvy about the science of climate change, so they can make smarter decisions than we’ve made, and do a better job managing emissions of greenhouse gases.”
The forum will take place at Chapman University’s Argyros Forum room #202, on Feb. 7, at 4:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Media are invited.
For more information on the event, contact Dr. Alters at alters@chapman.edu, 714-744-7071.
According to the NCSE website:
The National Center for Science Education is a not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution and climate science in public school education. We educate the press and public about the scientific and educational aspects of controversies surrounding the teaching of evolution and educational aspects of controversies surrounding the teaching of evolution and climate change, and supply needed information and advice to defend good science education at local, state and national levels. Our 5000 members are scientists, teachers, clergy and citizens with diverse religious and political affiliations.
About Chapman University
Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world.
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