NCSE's #WhyTeachEvolution campaign, intended to draw attention to the critical importance of teaching evolution in our nation's schools, culminated on Darwin Day — February 12, 2020.
As part of the campaign, NCSE asked scientists, educators, authors, and science fans to write brief essays answering the question "Why teach evolution?"
Writing in The Humanist, NCSE's Glenn Branch explained the campaign, suggesting, "The greater the range ... the greater the reassurance it provides to science teachers."
Posted initially were contributions by:
- Kenneth R. Miller, president of NCSE's board of directors
- Ann Reid, NCSE's executive director
- microbiologist Jonathan Eisen
- theologian John F. Haught
- paleontologist Steve Brusatte
- NCSE Graduate Student Outreach Fellow Laurie Luckritz
- NCSE Teacher Ambassador Blake Touchet (aided by his students)
to which were added contributions by:
- anthropologist and museum educator Briana Pobiner
- Elizabeth "Beth" Allan, president-elect of the National Science Teaching Association
- biologist Jonathan Losos
- science writer James Gleick
- biologist Joe Felsenstein
- NCSE Teacher Ambassador Rebecca Brewer
- NCSE Teacher Ambassador John Mead
- paleontologist and museum educator Lisa D. White
- philosopher of science Robert T. Pennock
- science education specialist Lacy Wieser
- biologist Joseph L. Graves Jr.
- NCSE's Director of Community Science Education Kate Carter
- Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association
- NCSE's Director of Teacher Support Lin Andrews
- physicist (and expert on state science standards) Larry Lerner
- anthropologist Andrew J. Petto
- science education professor William F. McComas
- NCSE Teacher Ambassador John Murnan
- community college biology professors Sharon Gusky and Tara Jo Holmberg
- science education professor Amanda Glaze-Crampes
- paleontologist Kevin Padian
- NCSE's executive director Ann Reid, writing with her virologist hat on
and last but not least:
- Buster, NCSE's Director of Fun
These lively, thoughtful, and deeply-felt essays on the importance of teaching evolution will give you plenty of inspiration in the 365 days until the next Darwin Day — February 12, 2021.
