EVO
Ten
Questions Everyone Should Ask About Evolution
an
independent science film
Designed as a tool
for high school biology teachers, this DVD presents ten (interconnected)
short films that describe—through the words of top evolutionary
biologists and thinkers—the process of evolution.
Not since the Scopes
Monkey Trial of 1925 has evolution and evolutionary theory
captured so much national attention. In the United States
today, some politicians and activists insist on teaching “intelligent
design” alongside evolution in the science classroom.
Yet a reading of current newspaper and web articles reveals
a profound misunderstanding of evolution and its processes,
and, more importantly, the role of science and biology in
society. “EVO – Ten Questions Everyone Should
Ask About Evolution” works to clear up these misunderstandings
and address this “controversy”
-- from the point of view of the biology classroom.
Through interviews,
narration, and stunning cinematography the film presents clear
and accurate answers to the “questions everyone should
ask about evolution,” while maintaining a lively mood
through its interactive graphic approach and contemporary
music.
The DVD grew out
of the World Summit on Evolution that was held in June 2005
on the Galapagos Islands. Hosted by the Universidad San Francisco
de Quito and its Galapagos Academic Institute of Arts and
Sciences, the Summit brought together the world’s most
important evolutionary scientists for discussions and debate.
EVO's goal is
to help teachers address the often complex ideas of evolutionary
biology -- including its history -- in a lively and engaging
way. The DVD will also be appropriate for anyone interested
in the basics of evolutionary theory and for introductory
college biology courses.
The DVD includes:
• a linear version that plays for 30 minutes
• an interactive version that returns to a main menu
at the end of each question
• a glossary which serves as an “index”
to the visual material
• web links (DVD ROM version)
• additional materials as appropriate
• study guide
The
Ten Questions (draft)
What is evolution? Is evolution a theory?
What
was Darwin’s big idea?
What's
the controversy about Darwin's ideas?
What
is the “scientific method?”
So
what is natural selection?
How
are variations inherited?
Where
do the inheritable variations come from?
What
are adpatations?
Why
are there so many different organisms? Why is there biodiversity?
What's
a short history of life?
Why
should anyone care about evolution?
The Scientists:
“EVO” includes interviews and participation from:
Prof. Leticia Aviles (University of British Columbia, Canada)
Prof. William Calvin (University of Washington, USA)
Prof. Daniel Dennett (Tufts University, USA)
Prof. Douglas Futuyma (State University of New York-Stony
Brook, USA)
Dr. Niles Eldredge (American Museum of Natural History, USA)
Prof. Pierre-Henri Gouyon (Université Paris-Sud, France)
Prof. Peter Grant (Princeton University, USA)
Prof. Rosemary Grant (Princeton University, USA)
Prof. Laura Katz (Smith College, USA)
Prof. Antonio Lazcano (Universidad Autónoma de México,
Mexico)
Prof. Lynn Margulis (University of Massachusetts-Amherst,
USA)
Prof. Geoff McFadden (University of Melbourne, Australia)
Prof. Richard Michod (University of Arizona, USA)
Prof. William Provine (Cornell University, USA)
Prof. Joan Roughgarden (Standford University, USA)
Prof. Samuel Scheiner (National Science Foundation, USA)
Dr. Michael Shermer (Skeptic Magazine, USA)
Prof. Frank Sulloway (University of California-Berkeley, USA)
Co-Producers:
Dr. Carlos Montufar, President
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Hugo Burgos, Dean
USFQ, College of Communications and Contemporary Arts
Diego Quiroga, Director
Galapagos Academic Institute of Arts and Sciences
John Feldman, President
Hummingbird Films, New York
Contact: jfeldman@hummingbirdfilms.com
|
