LAS 2009 Special Events

"Back to the Future: The Louisiana Science Education Act of 2008"

"In 2008, the Louisiana legislature passed and Gov.Bobby Jindal signed the Louisiana Science Education Act. This law is the product of a collaboration between the LA Family Forum, a religious advocacy organization, and the Discovery Institute, an intelligent design creationist think tank in Seattle, WA. In January 2009, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted a policy for implementing the law that is also a product of the influence of these two organizations. Louisiana is now the first and so far the only state to adopt such legislation, but it could serve as a bellwether for other states. Similar bills have been introduced this year in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Others are sure to follow in additional states."

Barbara Forrest is a Professor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Political Science at Southeastern Louisiana University. She is the co-author with Paul R. Gross of Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design (Oxford University Press, 2004; 2007, 2nd ed.), which details the political and religious aims of the intelligent design creationist movement. She served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs in the first legal case involving intelligent design, Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District, which originated in Dover, PA, and was resolved with a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in December 2005.

Graduate School Admission Panel Discussion

"And it will look good on your resume." Every undergraduate has heard that phrase, generally when someone is trying to get them to do something. But does [blank] look good on your resume? If you're going to grad school, do you even need a resume?

These are the questions that we propose to address in a panel discussion to be held in Session III, just prior to the poster session. Representatives from Louisiana graduate programs will make short presentations and discuss what it takes to get into grad school (to include entertaining questions from the audience). Representatives from Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech., Tulane, and University of New Orleans have already committed to participating on the panel.

Field Trip of Manchac Wetland Ecosystem (Saturday, February 28)

A field trip for members of the Louisiana Academy of Science will be conducted on Saturday, February 28. It will consist of a Power Point presentation of the Manchac wetland ecosystem, a boat trip along Pass Manchac and its associated bayous, and a lunch. The field trip will last from 9:30 to 1:00. There is a $15 charge for the lunch. A small donation of $5 would be sincerely appreciated for the expenses associated with the operation of the pontoon boat. The field trip is contingent upon the participation of at least 10 individuals. Since the pontoon boat has a maximum carrying capacity of 35 persons, only the first 35 members who sign up for the activity will participate. Payment for the field trip will be by check at the conference registration table. However, it is important to determine in advance the number of participants. Consequently, please make your reservation no later than January 27. A description of the activities is presented below.

Field Trip: A tour will be conducted of the Manchac wetland ecosystem on a covered 40'x12' commercial grade pontoon touring boat. Included on the tour will be Pass Manchac, the Manchac Lighthouse, and an excursion along two bayous associated with Pass Manchac. (Two hours)

Power Point Presentation at the Southeastern Manchac Educational Complex: There will be a Power Point presentation on the environmental and human factors that have caused the degradation of local wetland ecosystems and the suggested recommendations for their restoration. (30 minutes)

Lunch: The lunch will consist of fried catfish, French fries, salad, bread, cold drinks, and a dessert (One hour).

Please proced to the reservations page. Please direct inquiries to Dr. Nick Norton (nnorton@selu.edu).