RufusAtticus

Here is an announcment for a new anti-creationism organization. -Rufus

Dear colleagues,
Thank you again for your efforts to counter the attack,on science education in Cobb County. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful in preventing the incursion of creationism into the classroom, and not only have science teachers had the rug pulled out from under them, but at least one English teacher is now providing lessons supporting creationism and undermining science in class. We must multiply our efforts. Again I am asking for your help.

An organization has been created to help counter the attacks on public school science education by creationists and intelligent design proponents and their well-funded, supporting organizations. Our organization is called Georgia Citizens for Integrity in Science Education (GCISE) and consists of parents, teachers, professors, scientists, school administrators, clergy, and business people whose common goal is the promotion of excellent science education in Georgia (see <a href="http://www.georgiascience.org" target="_blank">http://www.georgiascience.org</a>). Although the immediate issues concern teaching of evolution and separation of church and state in science class, we foresee many future ways in which GCISE could contribute to science education in our state. Our poor SAT rankings and poor showing in science test scores are matters of concern to all of us, and are unlikely to be alleviated by our
legislators- even more true since November 5. Rather we must have an organizational unit that can bring to bear the expertise and dedication of many sectors of our society here in Georgia.

Toward this goal, I am asking each of you to join our organization, and to volunteer and/or help us in identifying faculty who might be willing to act as Board members of GCISE and/or scientific advisors whose research expertise would make them well-suited to provide information and support to public school teachers who are now receiving demands to teach pseudoscience and/or religion in their classrooms. Intelligent Design theorists have made false claims that reach across many scientific disciplines, particularly in the areas of biological evolution, structural biology, molecular evolution, stellar evolution, biochemistry, human origins, plate tectonics, geological change, paleontology, astrophysics, astronomy, quantum mechanics, etc. Our public school teachers are generally not trained to make sophisticated arguments supporting current scientific knowledge, and would benefit greatly by having advisors available. In addition, we may need to mobilize experts quickly for future challenges, and it would be prudent to put together a list of willing and able faculty.

At present we do not have a membership application form, but if you could indicate your desire to join, and also whether you are willing to be on the advisory board to field (filtered) questions from teachers and administrators, it would be very helpful. Please include your area of expertise and whether you might be willing to answer emails (your email address etc will not be provided to the public!), or have more time-consuming involvement such as- talk to teachers on the phone, team teach in the classroom, or give a public lecture. You will not be pressured to do any work, and you can change your level of commitment at any time. The more folks we have signed up, the less work for any one person, and the more impressive our group looks- helping to attract interest from the business community and the public. Once we have a critical mass we will be issuing a press release and trying to get coverage, establishing ourselves as the voice for science education in Georgia

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Sincerely'
Sarah

Edited to fix link - sci

[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: scigirl ]</p>