Florida Citizens for Science

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get to work!

Florida Citizens for Science is launching a fundraising campaign to help teachers and students right here in Florida with science education. Through the great site Donors Choose, FCS has selected five science-related education projects to fund. As the school year kicks off in just a couple of weeks, let’s give these teachers and students the equipment they need to succeed!

We’re going to heavily promote this campaign for 30 days. So, first of all, please drop a few dollars in the bucket. Secondly, spread the word! If you have a website or blog, mention this campaign. Talk about it with your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Submit this as a notice in your local newspaper’s bulletin board. Let everyone know that the money raised stays right here in Florida.

Our initial goal is $1,200. However, you folks only need to come up with half of that. Florida Citizens for Science will match every dollar donated up to $600! So, if you folks contribute $600, then FCS will match it with another $600 for a total of $1,200: our goal! If you folks go over that amount, then great; we’ll fund yet more classroom requests.

Why start today, Aug. 7? Because it’s my birthday! I turn 38 today. So, how about giving me a birthday present by helping fund science education in the Sunshine State! Below is a button for you to click (and the button will also be available in the sidebar). Get busy! Let’s see how many classrooms we can help in the next 30 days. (Note, the status bar on that little graphic below and in the sidebar only changes once a week, I think. So, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t move right after you’ve made your donation.)

It’s silly season in Polk County, and evolution is part of the fun of school board elections.

Q. “I wish Ms. Reddout and Mr. Mullenax to advise me as to their positions with respect to Creationism vs. Evolution.”

Dick Mullenax: As a former science teacher, I accept evolution/adaptation in certain species. As a Christian, I do believe in an intelligent designer. Where it can be taught in the curriculum, I am not sure.

Brenda Reddout: According to the state science standards, students are to be able to identify how plants and animals changed over time, and to explain why some survived and some didn’t. Evolution should be taught as prescribed by the state. Upon review of the state science standard, there is no evidence that it conflicts with the religious beliefs that many of us share.

These are just excerpts. Read the story for their full responses. Keep in mind that Polk County was the first to raise a stink about evolution in the state science standards when those standards went public for review.