Amanda L. Townley

I always feel so inspired listening to @evophd.bsky.social's sermon-vibe talks about science education. Want to make a real difference in your community? *Talk to teachers.* Talk to elem teachers especially. Be a resource. Don't treat them as unqualified in science. #Evol2025

Promotional slide for a lecture by Barbara Forrest titled 'Creationism’s Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design.' On the left, a photo of Forrest speaking at a podium, gesturing with one hand and holding a remote in the other. At the bottom are the Evolutionary Studies Vanderbilt University logo and the NCSE (National Center for Science Education) logo. A small inset image in the lower right shows a close-up of a Bible page open to the Book of Genesis.

Promotional slide for a lecture by Ken Miller titled 'The Kitzmiller v. Dover Trial.' On the left, a photo of Miller speaking, wearing a light blue button-up shirt with rolled sleeves, a microphone headset, and a conference lanyard. At the bottom are the Evolutionary Studies Vanderbilt University logo and the NCSE (National Center for Science Education) logo. A small inset image in the lower right shows a newspaper headline reading 'Judge Rules Intelligent Design Is "Not Science".'

Promotional slide for a lecture by Amanda Townley titled 'Modern Challenges to Teaching Evolution in Public Schools.' On the left, a photo of Townley speaking, wearing a white blazer over a white top, holding a presentation remote, and smiling. At the bottom are the Evolutionary Studies Vanderbilt University logo and the NCSE (National Center for Science Education) logo. A small inset image in the lower right shows a man using a large anatomical model of a human head to teach two students.

ICYMI: Session II: Modern Challenges to #Teaching #Evolution, is now on our YouTube playlist from the Scopes "Monkey" Trial Centennial Symposium >> https://loom.ly/4IBdeAk #Scopes100 @ncse.bsky.social @evophd.bsky.social

Amanda Townley, a woman with curly blonde hair wearing a white blazer and gray pants, gives a lecture while holding a presentation remote. Her talk is titled “Modern Challenges to Teaching Evolution in Public Schools.” Logos for Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies and the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) appear at the bottom, alongside a small classroom photo of a teacher using a model skull to teach students. The photo credit reads “© Wesley R. Elsberry.” It may be a podium off to the side.

Big week here! We've now got the *FOURTH* full video online from our Scopes "Monkey" Trial Centennial Symposium! Check out @evophd.bsky.social's talk here: https://loom.ly/3xlqSxk #Evolution #Scopes100 @ncse.bsky.social

Congratulations to IBES Director @kimcobb.bsky.social, one of @ncse.bsky.social's newest Friend of the Planet awardees!

"The new Friends of the Planet have tirelessly promoted the cause of climate change education...where it is sorely needed," said NCSE Executive Director @evophd.bsky.social.

2025 Friends of Darwin and Friends of the Planet: CLEO Institute Vanderbilt's Evolutionary Studies Initiative Kim Cobb Randolph M. Nesse Katie Hinde John Toohey-Morales Image is headshots of Kim Cobb, Randolph M. Nesse, Katie Hinde, and John Morales, and group photos of the CLEO Institute and Vanderbilt's Evolutionary Studies Initiative.

Announcing our 2025 Friend of Darwin and Friend of the Planet award recipients! These awards are presented annually to a select few whose efforts to support NCSE and advance its goal of defending the teaching of evolution and climate science have been truly outstanding. ncse.ngo/friend-darwi...

Black and white portrait of Charles Darwin seated and looking off to the left. He has a long, white beard, and is wearing a suit.

Photo from Darwin's notebook, with a sketch of an evolutionary tree and the words "I think" above it.

#OnThisDay in 1856, Charles Darwin noted in his journal, "began...writing species sketch." This "sketch" would form the base of his book On the Origin of Species. 🏺 🧪

Natalia Reagan is going live with the National Center for Science Education's director, Dr. Amanda Townley, in 8 hours, at 2:15PM CDT, 7:15PM UTC.

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So excited to speak with my good friend Natalia about the work of @ncse.bsky.social fighting for science education! Join us this week!

Calling all Iowa friends. Tomorrow is the last heading for science ed standards to push back on the removal of concepts tied to climate change and other missing pieces. Please attend and speak up for #scienceed if you need help, let me know!

Safeguarding Sound Science, episode 6: Making Every Classroom a Climate Classroom with guests Bertha Vazquez and Amanda Townley.

What do teachers want and need to know about teaching climate change? Episode 6 of Safeguarding Sound Science is now available wherever you listen to your podcasts. ncse.ngo/safeguarding... #SciencePodcast #EduSky #edchat

Our elected officials have known about climate change for decades » Yale Climate Connections The science has been settled for longer than many of us have been alive. So why do some still claim it's uncertain?

Science historian and Friend of the Planet recipient Naomi Oreskes (@naomioreskes.bsky.social) discusses the history of today’s climate debate and ways in which we can draw on the past to fight the fossil fuel industry's ongoing campaign of disinformation. #FightDisinformation

Fearing paper on evolution might get them deported, scientists withdrew it President Donald Trump’s orders haven’t targeted research involving evolution, but the authors’ unease about publishing reflects uncertainty in the science world.

When political ideology interferes with scientific research, American innovation and progress crumbles. A paper on evolution that was planned for a special edition of a Royal Society journal was withdrawn after authors feared potential political retaliation could lead to deportation. #ScienceSky

Happy Earth Day from NCSE!🌎 Denialism continues to be a major roadblock when it comes to climate action. In episode 6 of NCSE's podcast Safeguarding Sound Science, Amanda Townley shares guidance on how to talk to people who don't want to hear it. Her advice? "Radical empathy."

A Century After Scopes: Much Has Not Changed, and Much Has Changed by Susan Trollinger and William Trollinger Teacher John Scopes (left), and crowds outside the Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. Image via The Vintage News. Here we are, at the centenary of the Sco…

"A Century After Scopes: Much Has Not Changed, and Much Has Changed" rightingamerica.net/a-century-af... #ScopesSunday

Episode 7 of Safeguarding Sound Science: Hope in the Face of the Climate Crisis: Youth Activism and Leadership

Episode 7, and the final episode of season one of Safeguarding Sound Science is now available wherever you listen to podcasts! Our guests find strength and purpose in their hope to build a world that is no longer threatened by global warming. ncse.ngo/safeguarding... #SciencePodcast #Hope

Today's Forecast: Climate Change, Trusted Sources, and a Sprinkling of Local Relevance Safeguarding Sound Science · Episode

A fun conversation with my dear friend Bernadette Placky (@climatecentral.org) & Mat Kaplan on the @ncse.bsky.social podcast Safeguarding Sound Science:

open.spotify.com/episode/1Spi...

@mason4c.bsky.social @georgemasonu.bsky.social

Book Review: The Dazzling Complexity of the Frozen World In "Ends of the Earth," Neil Shubin travels north and south to explore the frontiers of polar science and history.

Undark Magazine reviews paleontologist and Friend of Darwin award recipient Neil Shubin's (@neilshubin.bsky.social) new book, Ends of the Earth. undark.org/2025/03/28/b... via @undark.org
#BookSky #ScienceSky #nonfiction

Issue | National Center for Science Education

The latest issue of Reports of the National Center for Science Education (RNCSE) — volume 45, number 2 — is now available online - ncse.ngo/issue/567

NCSE's Townley speaks on public skepticism of evolution | National Center for Science Education

NCSE's Executive Director Amanda Townley presented the Spencer Mass Memorial Lecture, "The Science of Controversy: Understanding and Addressing Public Skepticism About Evolution," at SUNY New Paltz. The lecture is now available for listening. ncse.ngo/ncses-townle...

The impacts of climate activism We review 50 studies on the impacts of climate activism. We present the existing evidence in a map of what we know about climate activism and its impa…

A really cool new study on the impact of climate activism has just dropped! Some highlights:

1) "There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."

Safeguarding Sound Science Earth Sciences Podcast · Updated Weekly · Safeguarding Sound Science from the National Center for Science Education combats misinformation, disinformation, and misconceptions about climate change with...

If you haven’t tuned yet, join us for a series of talks on climate change and the fight against misinformation on Safeguarding Sounds Science from @ncse.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Safeguarding Sound Science | National Center for Science Education Safeguarding Sound Science, Climate Change EditionSafeguarding Sound Science combats misinformation, disinformation, and misconceptions about climate change with actual science.

Episode 2 of Safeguarding Sound Science is now out wherever you listen to your podcasts! Historian Naomi Oreskes (@naomioreskes.bsky.social) discusses a century of disinformation - ncse.ngo/safeguarding... #SciencePodcast #SciSky #HistorySky

Calling Florida Teachers!!! Join us in Key West April 13-16 for MyCoast (free PD). Attendees will receive 3 graduate credit hours for attending in addition to a sub stipend to their school. Only cost is getting to us! #floridateachers Plz Share

Anyone in my network specialize in gastro-ent? Have some questions. DM please.

Project Steve: n = 1500 | National Center for Science Education

We've just hit a Project Steve milestone on this fine #DarwinDay2025! Steven A. Wernke, Professor of Anthropology at Vanderbilt makes Steve #1500! ncse.ngo/project-stev... #ProjectSteve

Kudos to both @nataliareagan.bsky.social & @evophd.bsky.social of @ncse.bsky.social for calling out #BlueSky as the rebirth of #ScienceTwitter this afternoon on #DarwinDay

Check out their great discussion!

www.youtube.com/live/PwKv6ID...

Feb 12, 7 ET. A Lioness Walks into an Orca: How Stories Enhance Science Education. Darwin Day Webinar with Katie Hinde. Sponsored by NCSE and NABT. A drawing of a lioness and an orca. Decorative drawings of a pitcher plant, flower of a sundew, and salamander tracks.

How are human minds adapted for stories about nature? Join NCSE and NABT for a free Darwin Day webinar TOMORROW, 2/12 with the founder of March Mammal Madness, Katie Hinde! nabt.wufoo.com/forms/m1dcb9... @nabtbio.bsky.social @mammalssuck.bsky.social @mmmletsgo.bsky.social #iteachbio #2025MMM

Another #DarwinDay2025 event for you all to tune into -- Our Executive Director, Amanda Townley will be on Natalia Reagan's new show. Tune in live at 1 PT / 4 ET on youtube - www.youtube.com/live/PwKv6ID...

North Dakota bill would require inclusion of "intelligent design" in state science standards | National Center for Science Education

How many times do we need to repeat this?! "Intelligent design" is NOT science. ncse.ngo/north-dakota... #KeepDogmaOut #EdPolicy #SciEd

Self care is so critical. We have to maintain our strength for the long game.