Over 70% of species on planet earth are arthropods. What exactly is an arthropod, and what has made them so successful? Follow the evolutionary journey of arthropods through time as they make the transition from ocean to land. Explore the diversity of species and their unique, curious and wonderful adaptations. Meet a few members of the SSU arthropod zoo, and learn why Darwin found the arthropods so fascinating, as we celebrate his birthday.

Frederique  works at Sonoma State University, where she coordinates the Entomology Outreach Program for the university’s Field Stations & Nature Preserves, and the Garden Classroom Program for the Environmental Studies & Planning Department. Her emphasis on watershed stewardship in both programs is inspired by Copeland Creek, which runs through the campus. She was the founding director of the SSU Sustainable Landscape Program (School of Extended Education) where she continues as an instructor. Frederique is the author of Garden Allies, a series for Pacific Horticulture magazine, now in its sixth year of publication. She holds an MS in Biology from SSU on sustainable landscape practices and habitat for beneficial insects.

No Dinosaurs in Heaven is a film essay that examines the hijacking of science education by religious fundamentalists, threatening the separation of church and state and dangerously undermining scientific literacy. The documentary weaves together two strands: an examination of the problem posed by creationists who earn science education degrees only to advocate anti-scientific beliefs in the classroom; and a visually stunning raft trip down the Grand Canyon, led by Dr. Eugenie Scott, that debunks creationist explanations for its formation. These two strands expose the fallacies in the “debate,” manufactured by anti-science forces, that creationism is a valid scientific alternative to evolution.

Emmy Award-winning director (Before Stonewall, Paris Was a Woman) and science educator Greta Schiller uses her own experience — with a graduate school biology professor who refused to teach evolution — to expose the insidious effect that so-called “creationist science” has had on science education. No Dinosaurs in Heaven intelligently argues that public education must steadfastly resist the encroachment of religion in the form of anti-evolution creationism, and that science literacy is crucial to a healthy democracy.

We will be joined by Steve Newton, Programs and Policy Director for the National Center for Science Education for a short question & answer session  following the screening.

For more information visit: http://www.nodinos.com/

Steve Newton joined NCSE as a Public Information Project Director in the summer of 2008. He received a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley, with an emphasis in modern German history and early 20th century pseudoscientific movements (eugenics, forced sterilization programs). Switching gears completely, Steven then completed an M.S. in Geology from CSU Hayward, with an emphasis in paleoclimatology. Following graduation, Steven taught geology and oceanography as an adjunct faculty member at a number of Bay Area colleges, where he developed courses in the History of Science and the Geology of the National Parks. In Steven’s spare 15 minutes/week (divided equally into 2:08 minute blocks per day), he enjoys racing sailboats and sculpting in marble and bronze.