NEWS
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2006
Science spurs lectures
BY CATHERINE ODSON codson@kansan.com KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The Kansas State Board of Education's "redefinition" of science spurred the inception of a new lecture series at the University of Kansas that will discuss the particulars of science in Kansas.
The four-part lecture series was designed to thwart attacks on science in the state of Kansas, including the Kansas State Board of Education's acceptance of the intelligent design theory.
Lawrence Krauss, professor of physics at Case Western Reserve University, will kick off the "Science, Education and the Public" series at 7:30 tonight at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The lecture series features four speakers who Feldman said could put "dangerous" Kansas issues in perspective. By including speakers from four separate disciplines — physics, philosophy, paleontology and chemistry — audiences will get four different points of view.
Hume Feldman, associate professor of physics, said he organized the series in response to the Board of Education's decision that the 500-year-old definition of science was not really sufficient.
The Board of Education sought supernatural explanations for natural phenomena, Feldman said, instead of accepting scientific explanations. By doing such, they redefined science, despite not having the expertise to do such, he said.
Krauss' lecture, "Science Under Attack, from the White House to the Classroom: Public Policy, Science Education and the Emperor's New Clothes," will provide potential solutions to attacks on science and specifically address the debates on evolution in Kansas and Ohio. His books, including "The Physics of Star Trek," explain the laws of physics in relation to popular science fiction.
Krauss said he insisted science be taught in science classrooms. Debates over the evolution theory, such as the one in Kansas, is a public relations battle distorting both science and religion that goes beyond the academic realm, he said.
Joseph Heppert, chair of the department of chemistry and director of the Center for Science Education, will complete the series with "Understanding 'Alternatives' to Evolution" on May 9. Heppert, the lone KU speaker, will discuss the debate on teaching intelligent design in Kansas schools.
He said that as a scientist, understanding "where the reality of the situation lies" was important.
His lecture will review his study of the testimony from the May 2005 Board of Education hearings about intelligent design and science standards.
Edited by Jodi Ann Holopirek
WHO'S LECTURING?
The "Science, Education and the Public" lecture series will begin tonight. All lectures will take place at the Dale Institute of Politics.
Lawrence Krauss, professor of physics at Case Western Reserve University. 7:30 tonight. "Science Under Attack, from the White House to the Classroom. Public Policy, Science Education and the Emperor's New Clothes."
Barbara Forrest, professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University, 7:30 p.m., April 19. "The Naturalism of Science: The Only Way that Works."
William Schopt, paleobiologist,
University of California-
Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m., May
3. "The Earliest History of
Life: Solution to Darwin's
Dilemma."
Joseph Heppert, director of the Center for Science Education and professor and chair of the chemistry department. "Understanding 'Alternatives' to Evolution." 7:30 p.m., May 9.
Source: University Relations
Speaking his mind
Caleb Jones/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jim Whelan of West Palm Beach, Fla. smiles as he demonstrates in front of U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., Monday. Whelan said he was there to help defend America and make sure convicted terrorist conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui received his due punishment. A jury decided Moussaoui was eligible for the death penalty for his part in the 9/11 attacks.
Dole Institute of Politics On KU's West Campus - 785.864.4900 - www.doleinstitute.org
DOLE LECTURE 2006 presents Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)
Monday, April 10, 2006 8:00 p.m. at the Lied Center FREE TICKETS Now available at the Lied Center, SUA and Murphy Hall Box Offices
Lied Box Office Hours: 11am-6 pm M-F; and, open two hours prior to Lied Series performances or one hour before other performances. Also available at the Student Union Activities and Murphy Hall box offices. There is a handling charge for mailed tickets (785.864.2787).
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE DOLE INSTITUTE:
• Thursday, April 13 - Inaugural Muncy Journalism & Politics Lecture
• Monday, April 17 - speaker to be announced.
To receive emailed Dole Institute event announcements email your request to: doleinstitute@ku.edu