MEDIA ADVISORY
January 28, 2015
Humanists of the Palouse Contact: Tyler Palmer, 208-310-3053, tylerp1980@gmail.com
American Humanist Association Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org
On February 7, 2015, the Humanists of the Palouse, a chapter of the American Humanist Association, will host Darwin on the Palouse, the nation’s premier International Darwin Day event, celebrated annually to honor humanity, science, reason and the birthday of revolutionary naturalist, Charles Darwin.
WHO: This year’s event features two speakers, Dr. Karen E. James and Steve Olson.
- Dr. Karen E. James is a biologist at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Maine, who combines DNA-based species identification (‘DNA barcoding’) with citizen science. Her PhD and postdoctoral research spanned genetics, evolutionary-developmental biology and molecular systematics. She is a co-founder and director of The HMS Beagle Project, a charity in the United Kingdom that aims to rebuild the HMS Beagle and retrace the historic Voyage of the Beagle.
- Steve Olson is the author of Mapping Humanist History: Genes, Race and Our Common Origins, one of five finalists for the 2002 nonfiction National Book Award and recipient of the Science-in-Society Award from the National Association of Science Writers. His writing covers science-based topics, including human origins, evolution, and climate change. His broad body of work includes popular science articles in Smithsonian, Science, Scientific American, Wired, The Washington Post, Slate and Astronomy.
WHERE AND WHEN: The event will be held at the Administration Building on Campus Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83843, starting at 6:30 pm PST on Saturday, February 7.
WHY: Observed on or around the birthday of Charles Darwin, February 12, International Darwin Day was founded in 1993 by Dr. Robert Stephens to promote public education of evolution and honor the contributions of scientist around the world. Darwin’s discoveries and his pivotal book, On the Origin of Species, have laid the foundation for the principles of evolutionary biology and left a lasting imprint on the public consciousness.
MORE INFORMATION: More information about Darwin on the Palouse can be found at DarwinonthePalouse.org, and more information about International Darwin Day can be found at DarwinDay.org.
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The Humanists of the Palouse is a local chapter of the American Humanist Association. Comprised of atheist, freethinking and skeptic individuals, their mission is to advance the community through rational thought, education and local service projects. Through billboard campaigns and community programs the Humanists of the Palouse work to advance the idea that one can be good without gods. They meet the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month to engage in topic-driven discussion.
Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other non-religious Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.