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SCAS 2003 Program Schedule (*pdf)

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An annual meeting is held in the Spring, usually in March or April.  Any member of the SCAS or the SCJAS is eligible to present a paper at the meeting or attend the meeting.  The deadline for submission of abstracts is January 22, 2003.  Papers must emphasize scientific research and education.  The deadline for submission of the papers is January 22, 2003.

Clemson University will host this year's Annual Meeting on Friday, March 21, 2003. The Keynote Presentation will feature a discussion on "Teaching Evolution" led by Mr. Charles Darwin (a.k.a. Dr. Jerry Waldvogel). Dr. Waldvogel is a prominent faculty member of Clemson University, receiving Clemson University's Excellence in Teaching Award as well as its Alumni Master Teacher Award, the Society for College Science Teachers' 2002 Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award. The origins of Darwin's theory of evolution and the difficulties of presenting this idea will be discussed as well as the current controversy surrounding the teaching of evolution in the new millennium.

Keynote Speaker

Biographical Sketch


Dr. Jerry Waldvogel is an Associate Professor of Biology at Clemson University. He received his B.S. in biological sciences from Stanford University in 1976 and his Ph.D. in animal behavior from Cornell University in 1981. He has held NSF, NIH, and Mellon Foundation postdoctoral research and teaching positions. He has conducted field and laboratory research on the behavior, ecology, and neurophysiology of animal orientation systems, including the use of olfaction and polarized light by homing pigeons. Dr. Waldvogel has over 20 years of experience teaching college-level introductory biology courses, and has taught a field methods course in behavioral ecology at the Shoals Marine Laboratory for 18 years. He has authored study guides that accompany two popular introductory biology textbooks, and has received Clemson University's Excellence in Teaching Award as well as its Alumni Master Teacher Award. He is also the recipient of the 2002 Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award from the Society for College Science Teachers. Dr. Waldvogel has a strong interest in helping college students improve their study skills, and has developed a web site.

Presentation Summary

A Chat with Charles Darwin: How History Informs the Teaching of Evolution in Today's Science Classroom.

Almost everyone involved with modern life science has somehow encountered the controversy over teaching evolution. Troubled and confused students, irate parents, intrusive politicians or school boards, and endless legal battles all contribute to the frustration that science educators have when teaching one of the most fundamental concepts in all of biology. So what's a person to do? Why not come and hear what the man who started it all, none other than Charles Darwin himself, has to say about the problem? Mr. Darwin (a.k.a. Clemson biology professor Dr. Jerry Waldvogel) will provide his own unique perspective on the origins of his theory of evolution by means of natural selection, how he dealt with the difficulties of presenting this new idea to a resistant 19th century Victorian society, and how he sees the current controversy playing out for modern science. In addition to Mr. Darwin's prepared remarks, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues of relevance to the teaching of evolution in the new millennium.