The modern theory of evolution is regularly a hot topic of controversy and conflict between scientific and religious circles. This February, the University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers (UNIFI) will be debunking some of the misconceptions surrounding this important scientific theory. In celebration of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, UNIFI has put together a large-scale event called Darwin Week (www.darwinweek.com) that will take place from February 9th-12th in UNI’s Maucker Student Union.

 

Darwin Week will begin on Monday, February 9th with some introductory social events, an ice cream social, and a few games. Tuesday will feature information tables and booths in the Union, as well as an open-mic discussion on secular and religious ethics in the evening. The discussion will be co-sponsored and moderated by both UNIFI and a local church group.

 

On Wednesday, display tables will be set up all day, sponsored by various academic groups and student organizations from the area. Every hour, presentations will be given by faculty from UNI departments including biology, Earth sciences, history, psychology, and English. The topics will range from introductory evolutionary theory all the way to a presentation by Dr. Hector Avalos on intelligent design.

 

Finally, Thursday, February 12th, will be the culmination of the event. A large cake in the shape of a Darwin fish will be presented, and birthday cupcakes will be distributed. A choral group will be singing “Happy Birthday” to Darwin regularly throughout the day. The closing event of the week will be a speech by DJ Grothe, Vice President and Director of Outreach of the Center for Inquiry, Associate Editor of the journal Free Inquiry and host of the radio program and podcast, Point of Inquiry. DJ Grothe will be discussing secular and religious ethics.

 

“UNIFI hopes that Darwin Week will bring students with curious minds to the Maucker Union who wish to know more about the theory of evolution,” said Trevor Boeckmann, one of the administrators of UNIFI. “We are really looking forward to a massive turnout,” said Nick Covington, Vice President of UNIFI. “Darwin Week is going to be huge.”

 

Check out www.darwinweek.com for a full listing of events.  Check out UNIFI on Facebook or their website, unifreethought.blogspot.com, or contact them at unifreethought (AT) gmail (DOT) com.