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Explore evolution
The Norman Transcript
Exhibit focuses on science


Evolution has become such a religious and political hot potato, some forget
its roots stem from science.

Beginning Saturday, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History aims to
restore a scientific focus on evolution with the new permanent exhibit
"Explore Evolution." The exhibit will illustrate seven current research
projects from around the world involving evolutionary biology of various
species.

Sam Noble is one of six museums working together on the $2.8 million project
led by the University of Nebraska State Museum and funded by the National
Science Foundation.

"It's a very eye-opening exhibit," said Sam Noble media relations specialist
Linda Coldwell. "There is so much talk in the media and the public about
evolution that's spoken with a capital 'E' and seems to mean something
different from how scientists see it. This really gets to the heart of what
evolution is and it can answer questions for a lot of people ? even some
questions people didn't know they had."

Judy Diamond, professor and curator at the University of Nebraska State
Museum, said the project "is to show the public that research on evolution,
like research in all areas of science, continuously changes our ideas of how
we think about the natural world."

The exhibit's seven areas of research are "HIV: Tracking an Evolving
Target," "Diatoms, a Species is Born," "Ants and Fungus, Coevolving
Partners." "Fly, Evolution of Mating Songs and Dances," "Finch, Evolution in
Action," "Human Family Ties" and "Whales, Walking Into the Past."

The museum will add a lecture series in conjunction with "Explore
Evolution," beginning Sept. 15 with a lecture by University of Texas
professor Ed Theriot on the evolution of diatoms in Yellowstone Lake.

Museum officials have refused discussion of any religious context regarding
the exhibit. The latest creation-evolution debate centers around teaching
intelligent design ? which states a higher power started the life process,
even if it involved evolution ? along with evolution in science courses.

Museum director Ellen Censky placed the focus squarely on the science of
evolution.

"This is an exhibit that illustrates how science is done," she said. "All
science proceeds as a series of steps. After explaining the scientific
process of observation, hypothesis, testing and formation of a theory,
Censky said, "Our reason for bringing this exhibit to the museum is to
showcase that process."

For more information, call the museum at 325-4712 or visit its Web site
www.snomnh .ou.edu.

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