Please join us for this different and exciting installment of the Atlanta Science Tavern Meetup. Instead of focusing on the work of one particular scientist, we will get up close and personal with three courageous defenders of the integrity of science in our public schools. This intersection of science and culture can determine what is taught in our nation’s schools and ultimately the scientific literacy of future generations of Americans.

The three individuals we will be hosting have been instrumental in defending science in the Cobb County biology textbook disclaimer case of 2005. Their organizing efforts in Cobb County were essential in getting evolution back into the Georgia public school science curriculum after State School Superintendent Kathy Cox took it out. Come and listen to their stories, show them your support, and find out how you, too, can defend science, if the Evo-Wars come to a school near you.

Our Speakers
Dr. Sarah Pallas is a Professor of Neuroscience and Biology at Georgia State University. She was a co-founder of Georgia Citizens for Integrity in Science Education (GCISE), and provided expert testimony prior to the trial in Cobb. Read her sworn affidavit (PDF).

Jeff Selman was the lead plaintiff in Selman v. Cobb County School District and is on the Advisory Board of GCISE. He is now the President of the Georgia Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State where he continues to speak out for our rights.

Dr. George Stickel is the Science Supervisor for the Cobb County Public Schools and is a true science expert.

Background
For an excellent chronology of the case and to view PDFs of court documents including the judgment, visit the Selman v. Cobb County page at the website of The National Center for Science Education (NCSE), an organization that defends the teaching of evolution in public schools.

Despite constant challenges from scientifically ignorant or misinformed lay people, the courts have continually understood and upheld the validity and integrity of science. Read Ten Major Court Cases about Evolution and Creationism from NCSE.

With every ruling that comes down on the side of science it would seem that the challenges to the teaching of evolution in America’s schools would become a thing of the past. However, this has not been the case. From creationism to equal time to intelligent design to academic integrity to strengths and weakness the approach changes but the goal remains the same.

However, what may seem like independently misinformed people throughout the country are actually part of a broad social, political and academic agenda to "to defeat scientific materialism and its destructive moral, cultural, and political legacies” and to “replace materialistic explanations with the theistic understanding that nature and human beings are created by God.” These are stated goals of the Discovery Institute, as outlined in the strategy document known as "The Wedge” (PDF) which was leaked to the web. It clearly shows that the Discovery Institute’s concept of intelligent design is political rather than scientific in nature.

Know what to do if this happens in your school or district, because it could at any time. Although, the Discovery Institute is a powerful, well-funded lobby, there are dedicated, pro-science groups out there such as NCSE and the Georgia Citizens for Integrity in Science Education who can and will provide support for you.

This is a very important issue because the scientific literacy of our country is at stake. Check out how we stack up in our acceptance of evolution compared to European countries in this article from the August 2006 issue of National Geographic.