Survival of the fittest seems to be working well for Charles Darwin, who will celebrate his 199th birthday this weekend.
In honor of Darwin, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is hosting the second annual free Darwin Day and Evolution teach-in on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Darwin's official birthday is on Feb. 12.
The event is designed not only to honor Darwin's undeniable centrality to our understanding of science and origins, but also to reach out to the campus and community and offer accessible information and fun, said Michael Weisberg, assistant professor of Philosophy and chairman of Penn Museum's Evolution Project.
Among the more academic offerings at this event are four short "teach-in" talks, including an anthropological discussion of creation myths, two talks focusing specifically on Darwin - one on his life and contributions, the other linking those contributions to ecology - and finally a discussion of the modern day "Monkey Trials."
Eric Rothschild and Steve Harvey, co-counsels for the plaintiffs in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, the landmark "intelligent design" case, will deliver the final discussion. The presentation will be supplemented by a PBS documentary which covers the events that precluded this case.
Furthermore, attendees at this event will get a "sneak preview" of Penn Museum's upcoming exhibit, "Surviving, the Body of Evidence," which explores the process of evolution and its impact on human life. The exhibit is set to open on April 19.
The Museum's more festive activities will include a scavenger hunt, birthday cake and games of badminton, an alleged passion of Darwin's. The Museum cafe will also be serving non-alcoholic "Darwin punch."
So whether you are interested in information or dessert, this event can teach about Darwin and his irremovable presence in scientific settings.
College junior Jon Kole, who is voluntarily dressing up as a 199 year-old Darwin for this event, believes that this is more than just an opportunity to learn about evolution.
"Taking a day to go to a museum . is an important part of the Penn community," he said.
