Vanderbilt University Evolutionary Studies Initiative

? Finch-Inspired Art! ? ESI trainees took creativity to new heights with these collages inspired by Darwin’s finches! Using past issues of Evolutionary Studies - the Magazine, they explored #evolution, #adaptation, and the beauty of natural selection through mixed media. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! ?? #DarwinsFinches

?? John de Lancie Returns to Vanderbilt! ?? Join us tomorrow night at 7:00 PM in Sarratt Cinema for a special reading of The Dover Panda Trial, presented by legendary actor John de Lancie. This play brings to life the pivotal 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover trial, where the battle over intelligent design in public schools was fought in the courtroom. Did you know? John de Lancie was also here in 2005 for The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, a reenactment of the famous Scopes Trial! ?? Don’t miss this unique event! Free and open to the public. #ScopesCentennial #DoverTrial #JohnDeLancie #ScienceAndSociety

From the Scopes Trial to Kitzmiller v. Dover, the debate over science education continues to shape society. Join us for the next J.T. Scopes Lecture featuring Judge John E. Jones III, who will share his experience presiding over the landmark Dover trial, which reaffirmed the teaching of evolution in public schools. ?? Learn more here: https://loom.ly/z3cXVbY

?? Speaker Spotlight! Lee Meadows brings his expertise in #STEM education to the #ScopesSymposium. His work focuses on making #evolution education accessible in diverse cultural and religious contexts. ?? Join us July 13, 2025, at Vanderbilt University with National Center for Science Education for his talk on "Inclusive Evolution Education"! ?? https://loom.ly/KTSAQ6U

???? Spring 2025 Special Edition Coming Soon! Discover Vanderbilt’s hidden #history of evolutionary studies—from the Scopes Trial to fossil-filled basements and botanical breakthroughs. Don’t miss the next issue of Evolutionary Studies - the Magazine! #Evolution #Scopes100

?? Speaker Spotlight! Elizabeth Barnes (MTSU) leads the Social Perceptions of Science Lab and explores how religious perceptions impact the acceptance of #evolution. Join her talk on Religious Cultural Competence at the #ScopesSymposium. ???? ?? July 13, 2025 | Vanderbilt University with National Center for Science Education ?? https://loom.ly/KTSAQ6U

?? Speaker Spotlight! Katy Hinman (AAAS) bridges the gap between scientists and the public. Her work promotes scientific literacy and informed decision-making, tackling the intersections of science and belief. Join her at the #ScopesSymposium for a talk on Science, Ethics, and Religion! ??? ?? July 13, 2025 | Vanderbilt University with National Center for Science Education ?? https://loom.ly/KTSAQ6U #ScienceCommunication #EvolutionAndReligion

The National Center for Science Education started a project in 2003 to combat against lists of so-called scientists that believe in creation. One such creationist list online has 41 names listed with each name linked to a creationism website rather than a university affiliation – in fact, a cursory search of the names online reveals perhaps none of them are university-affiliated. Something of note on this list of 41 names meant to represent thousands of “real scientists,” is that there are only 2 people named some variant of Steve. Seeing a chance to do better, NCSE started Project Steve, with the goal of getting as many Steves (with Ph.D.’s) as possible to sign their name to the statement: Evolution is a vital, well-supported, unifying principle of the biological sciences, and the scientific evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of the idea that all living things share a common ancestry. Although there are legitimate debates about the patterns and processes of evolution, there is no serious scientific doubt that evolution occurred or that natural selection is a major mechanism in its occurrence. It is scientifically inappropriate and pedagogically irresponsible for creationist pseudoscience, including but not limited to "intelligent design," to be introduced into the science curricula of our nation's public schools. This year, as the 100th anniversary of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial approaches, NCSE has reached an impressive milestone in the project. Note that the online list of creationist scientists was 41 names long, the NCSE’s list of Evolutionist Steves is now 1500 names long (or 1.5 kilosteves). The latest addition is Vanderbilt University Professor and Department Chair of Anthropology, Steven A. Wernke. According to Deputy Director of the NCSE Glenn Branch, “The number of Steves who support evolution on the Project Steve list dwarfs the number of scientists who supposedly oppose evolution on the lists assembled by creationists." The project notes that Steve and its name variants (Stephanie, Esteban, etc.) represent roughly 1% of the population. Therefore, if the name requirement of the list were relegated, it would surely number in the hundreds of thousands. We are proud that the 1500th Steve is from Vanderbilt and hope to see the list continue growing. This is a big year for NCSE and Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt. Together, we are hosting an academic symposium featuring dozens of scholars from across the world to talk about all different aspects of evolution, education, law, and religion. Learn more here https://loom.ly/R2OkTHA

?? Speaker Spotlight! Jamie Jensen (BYU) brings her expertise in evolutionary biology and paleontology to the #ScopesSymposium. She will discuss Reconciling #Evolution and #Belief. ?? Don’t miss her talk on July 12-13, 2025, at Vanderbilt University with the National Center for Science Education! ?? https://loom.ly/KTSAQ6U

?? Speaker Spotlight! Joseph Graves Jr., evolutionary biologist and professor at North Carolina A&T State University, will present on Misteaching and Misusing #Evolution at the #ScopesSymposium. ?? His groundbreaking work explores genetics, race, and human health, debunking myths and promoting a clearer understanding of #HumanDiversity through science. ?? Join us July 12-13, 2025, at Vanderbilt University with the National Center for Science Education to discuss the misuse of evolutionary ideas and their societal impacts! ?? Learn more & register: https://loom.ly/KTSAQ6U