Evolution and Darwin to be topic of forum

YOUNGSTOWN — The YSU Chapter of Sigma Xi will sponsor an Evolution and Darwin Forum at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Jones Room of Kilcawley Center on the Youngstown State University campus.

The forum is part of the Darwin Day global celebration of science and reason that takes place on or around Charles Darwin’s birthday on Feb. 14. This year is the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s “On the Origin of the Species.”

Forum participants will include Dr. Ian Renne of the department of biological sciences, who will speak about “Evolution and Religion: Hyped Myths Hide their Partial Compatibility,” Dr. Bruce Waller, department of philosophy and religious studies, who will speak on “What Darwin and White-Footed Mouse Taught Philosophers about Free Will,” and John Grabowski, of Champion Schools, who will speak on “Evolution in Schools — Beyond the Law.”

After the presentations, there will be a 15-minute question-and-answer period. Dr. Shane Smith, department of geology and environmental science, will serve as moderator.

For more information about this program and other activities of the YSU Chapter of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, contact Dr. Paul Dalbec, Department of Physics and Astronomy, at (330) 941-3615 or by e-mail at pedalbec@ysu.edu.