Feature Channels: Evolution and Darwin

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The events for Ithaca Darwin Days 2009, the bicentennial celebration of Charles Darwin's birth.

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This year marks the 200th birthday of pioneering naturalist Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book "The Origin of Species," truly a landmark work that changed the world. Celebrations and tributes, both large and small, are scheduled around the globe this year, and many are already under way.

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When Charles Darwin published his landmark book On the Origin of Species in 1859, his theories on evolution were quickly accepted by the vast majority of scientists. The general public, however, was not as eager to accept Darwin's ideas, due largely to the fact that they challenged established religious beliefs. Today, 150 years after the publication of Darwin's book, science and religion remain as conflicted as ever when it comes to the subject of evolution.

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On Nov. 4, E. O. Wilson will kick off Arizona State University's Darwinfest, a series of events and speakers that will tap into what Darwin set in motion when he stepped outside of the box 150 years ago to publish "On the Origin of Species." Wilson will speak about "Darwin and the Future of Science" at 7 p.m. at Arizona's Tempe Center for the Arts.

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Today the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, the world's leading organization of vertebrate paleontologists, urges Louisiana citizens and legislators to repeal the "Louisiana Science Education Act" and to prohibit the injection of religious content in America's public school classrooms.

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How should science be taught in America's schools? Florida State University will host a panel of nationally known scholars from such disciplines as biology, law, philosophy and theology as they participate in a public forum to discuss that and other topics of critical importance to our nation's future.

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The first high-level public discussion of how science is taught in public schools "” in light of the recent federal court ruling on the intelligent-design challenge in Dover, Pa. "” will be conducted next month by a nationally known panel of scholars at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla.

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A study provides clear evidence supporting the proposition that natural selection drives the process of species formation in a wide variety of plants and animals.

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Controversy involving Intelligent design and public schools, classroom discussions -- or the lack thereof -- about the war in Iraq, and the Underground Railroad are discussed by Indiana University education experts this month.

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In a new book, Harvard Medical School's Marc W. Kirschner and John C. Gerhart, of the University of California"“Berkeley address a key problem in evolutionary theory that has puzzled scientists from Darwin on and which is now under intense scrutiny by proponents of intelligent design: where do the big jumps come from in evolution?

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The scientific community's failure to mount effective opposition against the intelligent design movement calls for new tactics, contends a veteran scientist. He will propose that his colleagues abandon religious and philosophical discussions and focus on evidence that he believes shows a clear lack of intelligent design.

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Origin of life scientist and researcher, Robert Hazen, has come forward to pronounce why Intelligent Design should not be taught in the science class room.

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Robert Wheelersburg, associate professor of anthropology, has taught human evolution at Elizabethtown College for nearly 20 years. Michael Silberstein, associate professor of philosophy, is director of the College's Center for Science and Religion. Last March, he organized a forum on Intelligent Design and Darwinian Evolution.

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"Evolution is a "˜theory' like gravity is a "˜theory,'" says Associate Professor of Biology Colin Purrington. "The low-budget remake of the Scopes trial that is currently taking place in Kansas will make educated Kansans want to flee the state so that their children will not be subjected to quack scientific ideas such as intelligent design."

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1) Effect of 'hobbits' on science-and-religion; 2) American churches embrace "The Purpose-Driven Life"; 3) Study uncovers link between religious service attendance and health; 4) Coverage of Mind and Life Institute Conference; 5) Intelligent design backers and critics face off.

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During the past 100 years, scientists have tossed around a great many hypotheses about the evolutionary route to bipedalism, and what inspired our prehuman ancestors to stand up straight and amble off on two feet.