UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler to Sponsor Darwin Day 2016 Events

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February 3, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler biology department will sponsor events celebrating Darwin Day, Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced.

This year's Darwin Day celebration features activities for children, video screenings, a keynote address as well as a development workshop for primary and secondary school teachers. Similar events are held worldwide on or near Feb. 12 – the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biology Charles Darwin – to recognize the benefits of scientific exploration and discovery.

To kick-off special events, UT Tyler faculty and staff will present interactive displays and videos about diversity of life 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Discovery Science Place and Tyler Junior College's Center for Earth and Space Science Education.

Video screenings for three episodes from PBS's "Nova" and "Becoming Human" series will be shown throughout the day Friday, Feb. 12 in the UT Tyler University Center, room 3140.

Also that day, the 2016 Darwin Day keynote lecture will be 6 – 7 p.m. in the UC theater. Dr. David Hillis, UT Austin Alfred W. Roard Centennial Professor will present "Applications of the Tree of Life." Hillis is an expert in biotic diversity and an accomplished researcher of evolutionary biology. He also is active in discussions throughout Texas regarding rewriting of science standards and adoption of high school biology textbooks. A reception will precede the lecture at 5 p.m.

The teacher development workshop will be 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at Tyler Junior College, serving as celebration co-sponsor. Interested teachers should email Dr. Betsy Ott at bott@jtc.edu.

For more information about activities, contact Dr. Kate Hertweck, UT Tyler assistant professor of biology, 903.565.5882 or khertweck@uttyler.edu.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.