Temple University
A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD
July 7, - July 14, 2000
HUMAN GENOME PROJECT MAKES MONKEY OUT OF SCOPES TRIAL -- Seventy-five years after Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan argued over the teaching of evolution, scientists have developed a blueprint that puts creationism to rest, says Temple biologist Stuart Neff, Ph.D. In July 1925, Tennessee prosecuted science teacher John Scopes for teaching the theory of evolution to his students, claiming that it violated the story of creation as told in the Bible. "To me, it's very significant that as we close in on the 75th anniversary of the Scopes Trial (July 10-25), we have the announcement of the human genome," says Neff.
"If you are convinced that the Bible is inerrant, as some do claim, the inerrancy has been, shall we say, put in question." Neff says he has told his students for the past 40 years that evolution is the best working hypothesis in biology. "In fact, it should govern all thoughts as you go into the life sciences." Neff adds that the human genome project has laid out the dictionary to human life, "but we've only got about five percent of the definitions. We still have a long way to go."
Reach Dr. Neff through the Office of News and Media Relations, 215/204-7476.
WHAT INCOMING FRESHMEN SHOULD DO NOW TO PREPARE FOR COLLEGE -- While some people may still be recovering from a Fourth of July sunburn, it's not too early for incoming freshmen to begin preparing for the approaching school year, says Dr. Jodi Levine, director of Temple's First-Year Programs. "The most important thing is to read," says Levine. "Freshmen often find themselves in awe of the amount of reading they need to do in college. So this summer, stay in practice by reading books of interest to you." Levine also suggests that the Class of 2004 gather together all the paperwork they've received from their school. "Treat all correspondence as important documents and store everything in a clearly marked file box or folder."
Making the most of any campus visits or orientations is also important, says Levine. "Take advantage of the time you have with advisers, faculty, or other students who know the ropes and can help you get acclimated to university life. Also, keep in touch with students you meet at orientation. Exchange e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Peer support will play an important role in your adjustment to college."
Reach Dr. Levine through the Office of News and Media Relations.
BUSH AND GORE CLOSING IN ON RUNNING MATES -- While presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore publicly spar over immigrant voters, privately they are closing in on acceptable running mates, says Temple history professor James Hilty. "We can expect to see that process accelerated in the next few days and weeks. Political parties used to pick vice presidents in haste, but in recent campaigns we've witnessed a prolonged screening and interviewing of vice presidents," says Hilty, an expert on U.S. presidents and the presidency.
"Governor Bush has certainly had enough time to thoroughly select his running mate before the convention. The drama, what little there might be, at the GOP convention will revolve around the selection of a vice president."
For comments on the GOP convention and the presidential campaign, reach Hilty and other Temple experts through the Office of News and Media Relations.
This Week at Temple...
Monday, July 10-Friday, July 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: SIS SUMMER CAMP -- Fifty girls from six Philadelphia schools will learn about city waterways during the annual Sisters in Science (SIS) Summer Camp. Based in a Temple science lab, the program increases young girls' interest in science and math through interactive, hands-on projects suited to their learning styles.
Monday, July 10-Friday, August 11, 9-11:30 a.m.: INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING -- More than 40 high school students from as far away as Washington, D.C. will be constructing autonomous robots as a hands-on introduction to the basics of engineering during this five-week, two-credit summer program. It concludes with the robots playing a coordinated, six-on-six soccer tournament.
VISIT THE NEWS AND MEDIA RELATIONS WEBSITE: www.temple.edu/news_media
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