A tour of EHO for local clergy members and community leaders led by theology scholars and co-chairs of the Broader Social Impacts Committee, Connie Bertka, Ph.D. and Jim Miller, Ph.D.
Exploring Human Origins appeals to the innate curiosity of all human beings in term of understanding themselves and their own existence. It aims to engage local communities in the global scientific exploration of how humans have evolved over time, while inviting discussion that connects this exploration to varied societal perspectives about what it means to be human.
The goal of this traveling exhibition and public programs is to create an opportunity for audiences across a wide spectrum -- from those who do not question the scientific study of human origins to those who are troubled by its findings -- to engage the complex field of human evolution research in ways that are understandable, fulfilling, captivating, and relevant. By touring the exhibition and providing public programs to communities across the U.S., the exhibition sponsors endeavor to create a respectful and welcoming atmosphere for public audiences to explore how, when and where human qualities emerged.
Connie Bertka received her Ph.D. in Geology from Arizona State University and a Master of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary (2006). She is currently an independent scholar and consultant with Science and Society Resources LLC. Dr. Bertka is a member of the Broader Social Impacts Committtee of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's Human Origin Program. From 2002 through 2008 she directed the Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Prior to that she was a Senior Research Associate at the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory where she also served as the Program Director of the Deep Carbon Observatory from 2009 to 2011. In addition to her research in planetary science, Dr. Bertka has had a long-term scholary and pragmatic interest in the relationship between science and religion and their influence on public understanding of science.
Jim Miller is an honorably retired ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) with an AB in American Studies for the University of Maryland, an MDiv from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Marquette University. Immediately following seminary, he served for five years on the staff of the Department of Engineering Mechanics, North Carolina State University. He has served as an ecumenical campus minister at Michigan Technological University (1975-1981) and the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham College (1984-1996). For nearly ten years he was the Senior Program Associate for the Program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He was the founding Secretary/Treasurer and four term past President of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and Christian Faith. Since 2008 Jim has served as co-chair of the Broader Social Impacts Committee of the Program on Human Origins of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2020.
Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program.
AGE GROUP: | New Adults | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Speaker | Exhibit | Discussion/Lecture |
TAGS: | Summer Learning Program |
Mon, Sep 02 | Closed |
(Labor Day) | |
Tue, Sep 03 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
Wed, Sep 04 | 12:00PM to 8:00PM |
Thu, Sep 05 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
Fri, Sep 06 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
Sat, Sep 07 | 10:00AM to 6:00PM |
Sun, Sep 08 | Closed |