January 30, 2007 -- On February 12, Charles Darwin's birthday, events all over the US and in other countries will celebrate this important scientist and his work, which was the starting point for the expanding field of evolutionary biology. The national meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco will feature a symposium that announces plans for this year's celebration and the upcoming 2009 Bicentennial celebration. The symposium, "Supporting Evolution at the Grass-Roots: Building Better Bridges," is slated for Friday, February 16, from 1:45 - 4:45 PM.

Irving Wainer, the chair of the symposium, is also the head of the Alliance for Science, a national group that allies science organizations, religious organizations, companies, teachers and citizens to preserve the distinctions between science and religion in the public sphere. (410-558-8498, iwainer@hotmail.com)

Preparations for the 2009 celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth will be will be announced by Dr. Robert Stephens (650-701-1948 rstephens@darwinday.org), former director of the Stanford Research Institute, a non-profit research organization established by Stanford University. He will announce the establishment of a National Task Force for the purpose of promoting participation by the entire scientific community to celebrate Darwin's Bicentennial Birthday. Ten Nobel Laureates in science have already signed a letter in support of the celebration.

Darwin Day originated in Shrewsbury, England, Darwin's birthplace. Each year, dozens of activities are held throughout the month in the town to celebrate. Jonathan King, director of the festival, (+01144-1952-641935, jon.king@shrewsbury.gov.uk) will speak at the symposium.

Religious groups plan to participate in Evolution Sabbath on or arou
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Contact: Martha Heil
mheil@aip.org
301-209-3088
American Institute of Physics
30-Jan-2007