February 02, 2015
Darwin Week activities set
Activities for the 10th annual “Darwin Week” this month include two lectures by Brian Switek, a science writer and National Geographic blogger, in addition to a presentation later in the month by faculty member Richard H. Thomas. The events also include art and discussion in honor of Charles Darwin’s 206th birthday on Feb. 12.
Darwin Week runs Feb. 10-12, with Thomas’ lecture at 7 p.m., Feb. 26, in the Science Café at University Mall in Carbondale. Thomas, an associate professor in zoology and director of the undergraduate studies program, will present “Science in the Family: Charles Darwin at home.”
The events are free and open to the public.
Switek will present “Endless Tales Most Beautiful: A Crash Course in Science Storytelling,” at noon, Feb. 12, in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. Then, at 7:30 p.m., he will discuss “Darwin’s Fossils: Evolutionary Tales from Deep Time,” in the School of Law Hiram H. Lesar Building Auditorium. The week starts with a student mini-symposium from 7 to 9 p.m., Feb. 10, in Lindegren Hall’s French Auditorium, Room 133.
The annual “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” Darwin Week photo and art exhibit contest will offer prizes of $100, $50 and $25 for the top three photos or original artwork that illustrate themes in evolution, species diversity, convergence, adaption or selection. No previous Darwin Week submissions are permitted. The submission deadline is 4:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6. The exhibit will begin Saturday, Feb. 7 and run through Feb. 13 in the Student Center’s second-floor art alley. A reception is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 11. Information about the art exhibit contest is available here.