Darwin Day Science Conference!

Saturday, March 20
All-Day Conference

“In 1859 Charles Darwin’s masterpiece, On the Origin of Species, shook society to its core.  Darwin was only too aware of the storm his theory of evolution would provoke.  But he surely would have raised an incredulous eyebrow at the controversy still raging a century and a half later.   Evolution is accepted as scientific fact by all reputable scientists and indeed theologians, yet millions of people continue to question its veracity.” 

— Richard Dawkins, The Greatest Show on Earth

At the fourth Darwin Day Science Conference cosponsored by Center for Inquiry Indiana and IUPUI Freethinkers , you will have the opportunity to explore advances in the field of evolutionary biology and the controversy that still surrounds Darwin’s theory of evolution as school boards and state departments of education try to insert the teaching of creationism (Intelligent Design) into our public school science classrooms.   You will also learn how the religious community is being brought onboard in support of the theory of evolution.

Click here to register on-line.

Schedule of the day's events:

Schedule of the day's events:

8:00 am:  Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:45 am:  Introduction and Welcome—Reba Boyd Wooden, Executive Director, CFI Indiana, Mr. Andrew Troemner, President of IUPUI Freethinkers

9:00 am:   Dr. Jeremy Wilson : Bones, Stones, Genes, and Memes: Current Research on the Mode, Nature, and Tempo of Human Evolution

10:00 am: Dr. Eric Meslin : “The Evolution of Bioethics”

11:00 am:  Barbara Forrest : Back to the Future: The Louisiana Science Education Act of 2008

12:00 Noon:   Lunch (Bring your own or reserve/purchase ahead of time for $10)

1:00 pm:  Denise Sobieski: Teaching Evololution

1:45 pm:  Dr. David Orentlicher : The Teaching of Evolution and the Constitution

2:30  pm:  Toni Van Pelt : The Importance of Advocating for Science

3:15  pm:  Dr. Michael Zimmerman : The Evolution/Creation Controversy: Reaching Out to the Religious Community

4:00 pm:  Lauren Becker: The Trouble with Darwin: Guilt by Association in a Revolutionary World 

6:00 pm:  (or whenever we get there)  Reception at CFI Indiana ( $10 per person)

There is a rumor that Charles Darwin himself will be available for photo ops during the lunch hour.   You can get your picture taken with him for $5.00 per picture.  Hope he can make it.

Tickets:  

Registration includes a Continental Breakfast and begins at 8:00 am.  Presentations begin at 9:00 am.

General Admission is only $30, but special discounts apply for teachers, students, and Friends of the Center (CFI Members).  Lunch and evening reception tickets may be purchased for an additional $10 each and must be reserved and paid for by Friday, March 12.

For more information, including program notes, speaker bios, and a Mail-In registration form, please read the PDF files below.

Click here to register on-line.

English as a New Language — every Saturday, 10:00-11:30 am at Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN.  This is for anyone from any language background who wants to learn and improve their English speaking skills.  No charge.

Coffee and Conversation--every Sunday, 10:00 am to noon at Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN. Unstructured conversation and socializing. Anyone is welcome. This would be a good time to bring your donations for Gleaner's Food Bank.

CFI Young Adults (20’s and 30’s)— CFI Indiana is starting a CFI Young Adult group.   Of course, everyone is welcome to attend any program we offer. However, it was felt that young adults might like to have their own group that meets periodically to discuss topics and plan activities that appeal to their age group.   There will be a meeting on Sunday, October 18, noon,  at CFI Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A,  Indianapolis.--right after the official ending time of the weekly Coffee and Conversation.   If you want to be on the special mailing list for this group ,  email  indy@centerforinquiry.net and say “Put me on the Young Adult list.” 

CFI 20s/30s—  Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indianapolis. Book Discussion led by Eli: Ethics for the New Millenium by the Dali Lama.       People of all ages are welcome at any CFI program.

Scientific Medicine and Mental Health  Topic:  A review of Discover Magazine's top science stories including, "God Lives in Your Head" "First Molecule of Life Discovered" "Skip a Meal and Extend Your Life" "Meet your New Ancestor, Ardi" "Can Vitamin D Save Your Life?" and many more scientific breakthroughs. Craig Gosling is the coordinator of this discussion group.  

How Social and Psychological Forces Affect Market Behavior—Thursday, March 25 , 7:30 pm, Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, James J. Wood Lecture Series .  Free of Charge, Ticket Required. Speaker: Robert H. Frank, an internationally renowned behavioral economist and New York Times columnist, Robert H. Frank studies the ways in which social and psychological forces affect market behavior and the ways markets and economics affect human behavior. He is an expert on the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the ways that public policy can enhance market efficiency and improve the well being of middle-income families

6:30 pm, Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indianapolis.

English as a New Language — every Saturday, 10:00-11:30 am at Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN.  This is for anyone from any language background who wants to learn and improve their English speaking skills.  No charge.

CFI 20's/30's—Saturday, March 27, 7;00 pm, Skeptics in the Pub, The Claddagh Irish Pub, 234 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis.  People of any age are welcome at all CFI Indiana programs.