UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers celebrate Darwin Week

The modern theory of evolution is regularly a hot topic of controversy and conflict between scientific and religious circles.

This February, the University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers (UNIFI) will be debunking some of the misconceptions surrounding this important scientific theory. In celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, UNIFI has put together a large-scale event called Darwin Week that will take place from February 9-12 in UNI's Maucker Union.


Darwin Week will begin on Monday, with some introductory social events, an ice cream social and a few games. Tuesday will feature information tables and booths in the Union, as well as an open-mic discussion on secular and religious ethics in the evening. The discussion will be co-sponsored and moderated by both UNIFI and a local church group.


On Wednesday, display tables will be set up all day, sponsored by various academic groups and student organizations. Every hour, presentations will be given by faculty from UNI departments including biology, Earth sciences, history, psychology and English. The topics will range from introductory evolutionary theory all the way to a presentation by Hector Avalos on intelligent design.


Thursday, will be the culmination of the event. A large cake in the shape of a "Darwin fish" will be presented, and birthday cupcakes will be distributed. A choral group will be singing "Happy Birthday" to Darwin regularly throughout the day.

The closing event of the week will be a speech by D.J. Grothe, vice president and director of outreach of the Center for Inquiry, associate editor of the journal Free Inquiry and host of the radio program and podcast, Point of Inquiry. Grothe will be discussing secular and religious ethics.


"We are really looking forward to a massive turnout," said Nick Covington, vice president of UNIFI. "Darwin Week is going to be huge."