In commemoration of Darwin Day, I am posting a few links to resources about evolution.

UC Berkeley’s Understanding Evolution and Understanding Science websites

Website about evolution by the National Academies

A collection of articles about evolution by New Scientist magazine

Professor Ken MIller’s website about evolution, on which he argues for theistic evolution and against intelligent design; also see Jerry Coyne’s critique of two books arguing for theistic evolution, including a book by Miller

potholer54’s Made Easy series on YouTube (he’s currently working on a more school-friendly version of the videos that removes the statements critical of religious belief)

The PBS series Evolution, with its companion website

The NOVA program “Intelligent Design on Trial” about the 2005 Dover, Pennsylvania case about intelligent design

Other NOVA programs that relate to evolution are “Alien From Earth,” about the so-called “hobbit” fossils found on the island of Flores in Indonesia; “Ape Genius,” about the similarities and differences between humans and chimpanzees; “The Four-Winged Dinosaur,” about the evolution of birds; “Lord of the Ants,” about E. O. Wilson, an expert on ants and the founder of sociobiology

Richard Dawkins’s recent award-winning series “The Genius of Charles Darwin”

Carl Sagan’s 1980 series “Cosmos“: episode 2 is about evolution and some ideas about life on other planets

If anyone else knows of good evolution resources, please post them in the comments section.

Lucy is the name given to one of the world’s most famous fossils, a 40% complete skeleton of a 3.2 million year old Australopithecus afarensis. The current Pacific Science Center exhibit of Lucy will end on March 8, and we have the remarkable opportunity to see this skeleton while it is in town. The Associated Press reports that Lucy may not be out of Africa for some time, so this may be the only time we get a chance to see Lucy.

On most days, the PSC is open from 10 – 5, and admission costs $20.75, which includes regular exhibits as well as the Lucy exhibit. However, on Thursdays, after other exhibits close, the Lucy exhibit will remain open until 9 PM, and admission to the single exhibit costs only $12.00. If you are considering whether the exhibit is worth $12.00, there are more details at the PSC website.

On Thursday, February 12, we celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin. November 24 of this year will be the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. The Burke Museum, located on campus at the corner of 45th St and 15th Ave, will be hosting a celebration of Darwin’s birthday. This event is on February 12, from 6-9 PM. The following is from the Burke Museum website. All SSU members are encouraged to attend if possible as part of our Darwin Week.

Check out the January Scientific American. You can read it for free on the UW Library website. Many articles are also available from the Scientific American website.

Jan 2009 Scientific American