Darwin Day 2017: Celebrating science and humanity

For its ninth year running, Darwin Day returns to Minot State University Feb. 9-10. Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason, focusing on how all living creatures evolve.

“This has always been a fun event for all,” said Alexandra Deufel, chair and professor within the Department of Biology. “We want to, again, open our doors to the community and area high school students and together explore evolutionary biology.”

MSU’s Darwin Day celebration begins Feb. 9 with Harry W. Greene, renowned naturalist and Cornell University professor emeritus, presenting “Natural history, ethics, and aesthetics: Why should we care about nature?" in Cyril Moore Science Center Auditorium, 7 p.m. Greene grew up in Texas, served as an army medic, then earned a doctorate from University of Tennessee. He was professor and curator in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley and began teaching at Cornell University in 1999. Greene’s honors include Berkeley’s Distinguished Teaching Award; the Edward O. Wilson Naturalist Award; American Society of Ichthyologists presidency and Herpetologists; and Cornell’s Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellowship. In 2014, Business Insider named him one of Cornell’s “Top Ten Professors,” and he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His book, “Snakes: the Evolution of Mystery in Nature,” won a PEN Literary Award, garnered a two-page spread in Time magazine and made the New York Times’ annual list of 100 Most Notable Books.

Feb. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the Cyril Moore Science Center will host a variety of biology activities about evolution, geared toward high school level students. Home schooled students are welcome. Individuals may tour the greenhouse and research labs. On the greenhouse tours, they will learn about plant diversity. On the lab tours, they will learn about ongoing Minot State research in the neurobiology of addiction, human anatomy, paleontology and more. At noon in Aleshire Theater, guest artist Jessica Christy will present “The Evolving Narrative: Keeping Tradition in the Contemporary.”

All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the event schedule for Darwin Day 2017, please visit http://msubiology.info/.

 

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 02/02/17   


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