Like many institutions, the University of Guelph is hosting a series of events in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species. Two of them, a teachers’ workshop and the Yodzis Colloquium, have already run, but there is another coming up that I am pleased to announce.

This View of Life: Evolutionary Art for the Year of Darwin
University of Guelph and Ed Video
Oct. 9 – 30
Reception Oct. 16, 5:00-7:00pm Science Complex Atrium
Admission is free

Click poster for larger view

‘This View of Life’ showcases the melding of artistic and scientific disciplines in this year of celebration for Charles Darwin. This group exhibition presents recent work from contemporary Canadian artists and features several collaborative projects created with scientists from the University of Guelph.

The investigation of evolutionary theory is not limited to the lab, field or fossil bed. Darwinian theory, after a century and a half, continues to inspire creativity which perpetuates the evolution of these ideas in their own right. Forms of expression can be compared to instruments of observation, magnifying some aspects of evolution while masking or distorting others. Presented by the University of Guelph and Ed Video, these exhibits offer unique perspectives into the nature and scope of biological novelty, organic variation, and evolving life forms.

The reception will feature artwork, biological specimens, and presentations by project participants. Artwork will also be exhibited at the Ed Video Gallery and at various locations on campus for the duration of the show.

Artists:

• Mat Brown
• Jefferson Campbell-Cooper
• Alison Judd
• Christy Langer
• Jean Maddison
• Allyson Mitchell
• Jenn E Norton
• Prof. Burnaby Q. Orbax
• Kelly Richardson
• Stephen Wicks

Sponsored by :

• College of Arts
• College of Biological Sciences
• Department of Integrative Biology
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy
• Ed Video
  
• School of Fine Arts and Music
• School of Environmental Sciences

For more information, visit:

• University of Guelph
• Ed Video
• Facebook

On May 19, the University of Guelph is holding a workshop on evolution education open to teachers from southern Ontario (and elsewhere if you’re willing to travel).

Evolution Education Workshop
May 19, University of Guelph

Speakers:

• Brian Alters Evolution educator and researcher, McGill University
• David Campbell Florida high school biology teacher making news on his approach to teaching evolution in US classrooms
• Eugenie Scott Director, National Center for Science Education, USA
• David S. Wilson Biologist, author of Evolution for Everyone

There will be interactive question periods as well as the talks. Teachers who present a poster on the teaching of evolution will have their registration refunded, and some programs are in place to help cover leave time to attend this workshop.

Download poster for more details.

These two meetings are coming up in May, one at the University of Guelph and one at McMaster University. If you are in the area, you are welcome and encouraged to register and attend!

The Peter Yodzis Colloquium 2009 – Frontiers in Evolution
May 20-21, University of Guelph

Speakers:

• David Sloan Wilson (levels of selection)
• Richard Lenski (experimental evolution)
• Hans Thewissen (paleontology)
• Belinda Chang (molecular evolution)
• Ryan Gregory (genome evolution)
• Craig Albertson (developmental evolution)

The talks are spread over two days, and on the second day will be a panel discussion. No concurrent talks, only invited speakers, plus a contributed poster session.

Download poster for more details.

Darwin’s Legacy
May 25-29, Origins Institute, McMaster University

Speakers:

• Mark Rausher (selection)
• James Valentine (paleontology)
• Brian Hall (diversity)
• Christof Koch (cognition)
• Hopi Hoekstra (speciation and adaptation)
• Steve Benner (molecular evolution)
• David Deamer (origins of life)

There will also be other invited and submitted talks as well as a poster session.

I wonder what Drs. Pallen and Wilkins think of this story?

Darwin’s Pianist Wife Influenced Theories (Discovery Channel)

Or the Darwin IQ test?

John Wilkins has started a nice series of posts discussing Myths about Darwin (you don’t have to agree with them altogether, but you should read them).

So far

Myth 1: Darwin did not believe in the reality of species

Myth 2: Darwin did not explain the origin of species in The Origin of Species

Myth 3: Darwin was a Lamarckian

Myth 4: Darwin was a gradualist
(See also Sandwalk)

Myth 5: Darwin thought evolution relied on accidents and chance

Check this out:

Darwin the Buddhist? Empathy Writings Reveal Parallels (National Geographic)

Charles Darwin probably didn’t know it, but he held views on human empathy that mirror Buddhist beliefs, says a pioneer in decoding facial expressions.

…

Indeed, after reading Darwin’s work on emotions, the Dalai Lama told Ekman he “would consider himself a Darwinian.”

Comments thread open.

Even though I am only really photogenic in person, I decided I ought to post a photo of what I am wearing today on Darwin Day. It’s by a relatively unknown young designer named, um, me. Available here.

Happy Darwin Day!

By which I mean, Remember one of the greatest scientists who ever lived AND all the accomplishments of the thousands of scientists who have come after him and made modern evolutionary biology the great success that it is.

To me, this is not unlike celebrating nation-founding anniversaries (July 4 in the US, July 1 in Canada, etc.). You’re not just celebrating a single act of signing some document, you’re especially celebrating everything that has come since.

So, enjoy Darwin Day. Give the man his due. But remember that Darwin Day isn’t all about Darwin and it isn’t all about the day. (It isn’t just about Darwin Year, either).

Oh, and don’t forget to get some Darwin Year gear.