Mary’s Monday Metazoan: Courtin’ » « Hypocritical gomers of Oklahoma, unite!

State organizations for science advocacy

i-f327b7befb3359add638d83c6e8aed64-stateorgs.jpeg

Hey, gang — help me out with this list of states with statewide grassroots organizations working to maintain and improve science education. I’ve found lists at Citizens for Science groups and NCSE, and here’s the roster so far (all the states in blue above have something in place):

If you know of another state group, leave a comment and I’ll update this list. And most importantly, if your state is one of the gray ones up above, start one yourself.

Mary’s Monday Metazoan: Courtin’ » « Hypocritical gomers of Oklahoma, unite!

Comments

  1. Gorobei says

    I am saddened NYC doesn’t have a group protecting us from the ignorant hordes.

    Oh, wait, we don’t have ignorant hordes. Sorry, never mind.

  2. Sheridan says

    Does anyone know if countries outside of the US have these sorts of citizen groups to advocate for science education?

  3. says

    At #1: yeah, right!

    Washington doesn’t seem to have one either. Of course, Washington has excellent science education standards, but still, I’d like to see a group pushing to have evolution introduced to children at a younger age.

    Maybe I’d better start one! Any Washingtonians want in?

  6. TheEngima32 says

    I guess what surprises me is that Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, TEXAS and Florida all have one…

    But then, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised – I’m sure that they’re outnumbered and outgunned (probably in the literal sense) so much so that you don’t hear from them all that much…

    Enigma

  7. says

    Washington doesn’t seem to have one either. Of course, Washington has excellent science education standards, but still, I’d like to see a group pushing to have evolution introduced to children at a younger age.

    You are the home of the Discovery Institute.

  8. says

    But then, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised – I’m sure that they’re outnumbered and outgunned (probably in the literal sense) so much so that you don’t hear from them all that much…

    Not really. I know the Florida and Texas ones are very active.

    I see what this thread is going to turn into already.

  11. says

    I see that the good Reverend and I had exactly the same thought. At any rate, Mr. Petroni, the Washington State Science Teachers Association might be a good place to start networking.

  13. Rebecca C. says

    Apparently we Californians are too busy having gay sex, tanning, and birthing eight babies at a time to organize a grassroots science advocacy group.

  15. Gorobei says

    #3 – you almost have to actively stop kids from believing in evolution.

    My 6 year old came home from school and announced God made everything. I asked her “who made God?” and she thought for a minute, then burst out laughing. After a talk about evidence, she is pretty sure God does not exist, but the tooth fairy does (that dollar under the pillow is pretty clear evidence.)

    The 4 year old is pretty up on descent with modification: she loves leafing though old family albums and pointing out similarities between people. It would take a lot of effort to unconvince her of inherited traits.

  19. squall25 says

    How does one actually go about starting a “citizens for science” advocacy group in our state? Anyone have any links? I am from Illinois. Are there any other Illinois citizens?

  22. Will Minor says

    The Alabama Citizens for Science Education site hasn’t been updated for years and I can’t find a record of the group since a 2005 Alabama board of education vote. Anyone know if the ACSE is still active?

  23. Prof MTH says

    Don’t burn me at the stake but…
    the Republican (notice I did not use the term “Repugnant”) governor of AL is actually a damn good governor. (There I said it.) He is the first governor in over two administrations to have six consecutive years of annual increased funding for education. He has also earmarked a significant amount of funding for science education and is actively trying to recruit more women into the sciences!!

    This is the first year he has had to cut education funding. Personally, I believe that education funding should never be cut; doing so is a long-term double negative. Given the status quo of thinking in political economics, I can’t blame him too much for cutting education only now (and after six consecutive years of annual increases) given the current economic environment.

    (FYI: I live and teach in AL.)

  24. says

    I don’t know if you’re counting the Center For Inquiry, but Indianapolis has a branch of the CFI. (centerforinquiry.net/indy)

    There’s an IU Secular Alliance in Bloomington, and the Richmond Area Freethinkers Society (east-central Indiana).

    No *SPECIFIC* science advocacy groups though, although I think CFI is definitely sympathetic to the cause. :)

  25. says

    Prof MTH:

    He is the first governor in over two administrations to have six consecutive years of annual increased funding for education.

    While decent on education policy, he has also made a habit out of going to churches and actually participating in sermons and the like, not to mention he was one of the loudest govs, along with Jindal in LA and Sanford in SC, to make a stink about wanting to refuse stimulus money for the unemployed on the grounds that in five or so years when the money stopped, he’d possibly have to raise taxes on businesses in order to maintain the benefits. (I’m in B-ham, BTW.) So he’s definitely good on some things, but really far from good on others.

    In re: to the post asking about ACSE, I haven’t been able to find anything on them since ’05 either.

  27. Sven DiMilo says

    I’m in B-ham

    My condolences. I spent a few years there working for Harbert construction. The best thing about Birmingham was Charlemagne Records–is it still there?

  28. IAmMarauder says

    @Sheridan (#2)

    I did a quick Google search for science societies in Australia and found that there is the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies – also known as FASTS. You can find their website here: http://www.fasts.org/

    I only had a quick skim through the site (I didn’t know about it until now) but will definitely investigate more when I get home from work.

  31. Jam says

    Woo, go Kansas! I’m joining the day after I get back to the states in a week or so. Thanks for the heads up, PZ.

  32. Phil says

    #3 – I’d be more than willing to help out, just give me a month and a half to finish my current job, or I might be in a difficult conflict-of-interest position. My location in Olympia might also be beneficial for convenient access to the state capital.

  34. says

    Please, someone start one in NoDak! I know of some little ones who are being indoctrinated with creationism as we speak… or actually, they should be in bed right about now…

  36. says

    #3

    I’m a resident of Washington also, although I’m merely a Astrophysicist student right now. I’d be interesting in starting something, although, I’m pretty ignorant about what it would take to start one up.

  38. says

    Science advocacy groups seem to be more popular in conservative areas of the country. (I’m sure no one else has noticed this already.)

  41. says

    #2: Sheridan: “Does anyone know if countries outside of the US have these sorts of citizen groups to advocate for science education?”

    The UK has The British Centre for Science Education (BCSE). Smaller and less well funded than NCSE.
    http://bcseweb.org.uk/

  43. CJM says

    @#7

    The Discovery Institute cropped up here, I think, in response to the fact that our public schools are pretty strong on science. As a student of Washington State public schools, I can attest to that.

    My AP Biology teacher dismissed ID & Creationism with 3 sentences at the beginning of the unit (and I paraphrase slightly): “I know some of you have other ideas about evolution, but they’re crappy science. In fact, they’re not science, they’re just crap. So shut up, at least in this class.”

    He was not a fan of subtlety.

  45. Pete UK says

    #41 Barry:

    To add to your comment: two things of note at the BCSE website:

    1. A link to … Pharyngula :-)

    2. A link to The Clergy Project: Over 10,000 clergy have signed a document stating in part “We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as ‘one theory among others’ is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children.”

    Other organisations in the UK – if they exist, they’re probably in the links list. I suppose the Royal Society counts.

  46. SEF says

    Over 10,000 clergy

    That seems to be more than the creationists have in the way of relevant scientists (ie not medics, engineers, lawyers and theologians etc lying about being scientists at all, let alone relevantly qualified ones) who claim to believe in creationism of some sort rather than evolution.

    TalkOrigins
    BCSE version of AiG
    WikiAnswers

    Plus the creationists are very unlikely even to agree on the details of their various creation beliefs, since none of them are basing those beliefs on evidence at all (but merely on personal preference and selective reading of different “holy” texts).

  47. says

    For now the science standards in North Dakota specifically list evolution as a concept that students are expected to learn. Here is a check list of their standards.

    I had a hard time finding a science advocacy organization, but I will keep trying.

  51. John says

    I guess in Massachusetts we have never really felt threatened by the ignorants. My wife led a rebellion in the local town when funding cuts (called Prop 2 and a half in the Bay State) closed the library and she and her pals succeeded in getting it reopened. I have told my kids that if a creationist or ID’er ever showed face on our school board or at a town meeting, that my response would make make Mom’s campaign look like a school play.

  52. IST says

    Hmm… NC has nothing, other than NCSTA. For True Bob above, VSTA, and NSTA, don’t do a whole lot in the way of advocacy… I belong to NSTA. They do provide trainings and speakers, at their conferences, for teachers. One would think that most teachers who don’t want to hear it simply wouldn’t go to those trainings or speakers… So bottom line, don’t be so secure in the knowledge that NSTA or its state equivalent is doing anything at the legislative level, and get a citizen group started. That, and I’ve noticed that teachers petitioning aren’t given much clout unless it’s as part of a union. Our own school boards don’t listen to much of what we have to say, I can’t imagine the legislatures or SBOE would either. (Yes, personal incredulity based on personal experience.. I’d love to be proven wrong in this instance.)

  53. says

    Thanks a lot, PZ. Now Casey and the Dishonesty Institute will get busy and register “(Statename) For Science” organizations in all the gray (lighter blue?) states.

  54. True Bob says

    Thanks, IST. I had a suspicion it was more like that, an association, than an advocacy group. Still, from discussions with some teachers, they were not keen on the poitential for creationism being required. Of course, that’s like 2 teachers, in my area (Spotsylvania County).

  55. IST says

    True Bob> The teachers in my dept. now, in Wake County (Raleigh area) would be in agreement with that. However, I previously taught in New Hanover and Brunswick County, and some of the faculty there (sci faculty included) would not support the teaching of evolution alone. Of five middle school science teachers with whom I worked, only one (besides me) taught biological evolution as demanded in the curriculum at that time. Two of the others were covered, because I put all 3 of our classes in the auditorium and did it college lecture style for a week, and the other I reported for teaching creationist horseshit in class. (She was a retired English teacher running a science class, who listend to gospel radio while her students worked… UGH)

  56. LBBP says

    I guess I’m not really surprised there isn’t one in Nevada. Education funding in Nevada is about as popular as toenail chewing. :(

  57. Norwonk says

    Why do I get a feeling that being marked on that map means science is in trouble in that state? I hope these groups don’t turn out to be the tombstones of real science.

  58. Lynn David says

    Indiana has a number of organizations which promote science, however most are not citizen committees, perse. For instance:

    Indiana Academy of Science – A non-profit organization promoting scientific research and in Indiana.
    http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org

    ISTEM: Indiana Science Technology Engineering Mathematics – A statewide task force which will put together a strategic plan to reform science education in Indiana’s K-12 schools.
    http://www.istemnetwork.org
    See also: http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=31818

    BioCrossroads – Indiana’s initiative to grow the life sciences, a public-private collaboration that supports the region’s research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences businesses.
    http://www.biocrossroads.com

    Science Education Foundation of Indiana, Inc. – a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage and assist young people to become scientists and engineers and to practice their professions in Indiana.
    http://www.sefi.org

    Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Alliance – a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to improving the mathematics, science and technology literacy and competency of all Hoosiers.
    http://www.imstea.org/

    Indiana Earth Science Teachers Association – IESTA – created for the advancement of Earth Science Education at all education levels
    http://www.purdue.edu/eas/outreach/iesta/

    So we’re just oozing out of that primordia with groups that promote science. Just not any that are exactly citizen watchog committees.

  59. Silva says

    http://www.msela.org/ for MA.

    They don’t mention fighting ID/creationism in their mission statement; they mostly just focus on quality and safety. We don’t have very many creationists here anyway; the gays and environmentalist wackos chased them away.

  60. recovering catholic says

    squall25:

    Looks as if we indeed have nothing here in Illinois. (Thanks, cap, for the valuable link confirming a google search about this.)

    I’ll be delighted to help get one started in Illinois if we can get pointed in the right direction.

    There seem to be a lot of good educational-institution based groups in various states, but it’s critical that CITIZENS have one of their own. I’ve told my war stories here before about the superintendent of schools in my part of Illinois who was putting pressure on K-12 teachers to invite a local creationist loony to come talk to the kids during class…

  61. KL says

    I’d love to get something going here in TN. Especially since creationism is taught unchallenged in some schools here. At the TN Academy of Science and TN Science Teachers Assoc joint conference someone set up a table advertising Expelled DVDs and a book by AIG (Explore Evolution? I can’t remember the title). The table was unmanned, so I complained to the conference organizers. They certainly took my complaint seriously, but I never learned who was responsible.

  62. says

    Attention brokenSoldier, OM

    I too am in B’ham. I’m glad to know B’ham is represented here beyond my wife and I.

    Yes, Charlemagne Records is still here. It is the last independently owned record store in the metro area.

  63. Comstock says

    I’ve been looking for just such a list. I recently moved to Kentucky and I’d be interested in helping with a science organization in this state. I haven’t found anything online. Anyone know if such a group exists in KY? If not, any Kentuckians interested in talking about setting up a science advocacy group?

    After all, we do have the abominable creation museum, as well as this law on the books:
    In any public school instruction concerning the theories of the creation of man and the earth, and which involves the theory thereon commonly known as evolution, any teacher so desiring may include as a portion of such instruction the theory of creation as presented in the Bible, and may accordingly read such passages in the Bible as are deemed necessary for instruction on the theory of creation, thereby affording students a choice as to which such theory to accept.

  64. says

    I would like to see a science education map overlaid with a religious acceptance map. See how much of a match they are.

  65. IST says

    I’ve seen enough in this thread, and in the Google searches I did trying to answer the question, to think that something needs to get started here in NC. Anyone have any suggestions that go beyond a Meetup group? (as in how to get started?)

  67. IST says

    Vic> Ken Miller uses such a map/image in one of his powerpoints… I looked for it on his page and can’t find it, but I suppose you could always email and ask him to share of post it.

  68. recovering catholic says

    squall25 and IST:

    I’ve just emailed NCSE and asked for pointers about getting a group started in Illinois. You might do the same, and/or I can let you know what they say. We also have a couple of premiere retired science educators here from the University of Illinois whom I’m going to contact…

  69. Troglodyte says

    Vermont Science Initiative, if that’s the kind of thing you’re looking for.

    vtscience.com

  70. KL says

    Wombat: TSTA is a good organization, and they provide excellent opportunities for primary and secondary school teachers for science, but they have not really done much to counter some of these problems. However, perhaps the leadership of TSTA would be interested in taking these issues on. A citizen’s group would bring in others besides educators.

  73. says

    Starting up a citizens for science group is all about networking. First, you need to find a few like-minded folks in your state. Check the various university science/biology departments. Check with any state humanist/freethought groups. Search news archives for any antiscience activities that have happened in your state and make note of any names of folks who stood up on behalf of science. Enlist the aid of the NCSE. Keep in mind that these citizens for science groups are usually run by a small core group of maybe a dozen folks. Start small.

    Once you have a few folks interested in being active, build a presence. Create a website. Seek out reporters and build a rapport and some credibility with them.

    Your group’s mission should be to promote sound science education. You’re not fighting creationism 100% of the time. Sponsor some Darwin day activities. Raise some money for school science lab supplies. Just generally get your group’s name out there in a positive way.

    Building a membership will take time, especially if you don’t have any big creationism fight going on. Building that membership is based on networking, networking and yet more networking. Create a list of names/numbers/e-mails of folks who could potentially join in should a creationist fire pops up.

    It’s a good idea to establish your citizens for science group now, before any creationism fires break out. That way the foundation will be in place; all you will have to do then is activate your network and sign up new members who will be seeking you out.

    The important thing is to keep the handful of core group members together even if nothing exciting happens for a couple of years. Sometimes that can be hard. But as long as you have one or two people motivated enough to keep the home fires burning, everything else will fall into place. However, if you lose those folks, you will wind up starting from scratch.

    All right, folks, get to work!

  74. Ray Ladbury says

    Anybody else in Maryland? I’m noticing that we don’t have a council. Nor does VA, W. VA or DE. I don’t think we’re in imminent danger of being overrun by creationists, but science literacy is still pretty woeful.

  75. says

    Oh, and feel free to reach out to other states’ citizens for science groups for help and advice. Also, the folks at NCSE are very friendly and helpful. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

    You are not alone!

  76. Jonathan Smith says

    TheEngima32 Said
    “I guess what surprises me is that Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, TEXAS and Florida all have one… I’m sure that they’re outnumbered and outgunned (probably in the literal sense) so much so that you don’t hear from them all that much…”
    Far from it!!! Many of the Florida Citizens for Science group were selected to serve on the Framing and Writing committies for the new Florida science standards.
    We fought the IDiots at the County and State Level,and were well represented at the State Board of Education to make sure the academic freedom mantra was not included in the new science standards.
    At the moment we are gearing up to fight “critical analysis” bill 2396.just introduced. We are well organized and very active

    Jonathan Smith
    vice President
    FCS

  79. says

    Comstock @ #63 noted a section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes with the paragraph about allowing creationism to be taught in science class.

    To be really horrified, everyone should start with Section 170:
    Bible to be read.
    The teacher in charge shall read or cause to be read a portion of the Bible daily in every classroom or session room of the common schools of the state in the presence of the pupils therein assembled, but no child shall be required to read the Bible against the wish of his parents or guardian.

    and then go on to read all the sections from that point to Section 280.

    You will find niceties such as the creationism section noted above at 172, Then go on to
    .178 Ten Commandments to be displayed.

    .185 Construction prohibiting school employee from leading, directing, or encouraging religious or anti-religious activity in violation of establishment clause.
    Nothing in KRS 158.181 to 158.187 shall be construed to support, encourage, or permit a teacher, administrator, or other employee of the public schools to lead, direct, or encourage any religious or anti-religious activity in violation of the portion of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion.

    .190 Sectarian, infidel, or immoral books prohibited.
    No book or other publication of a sectarian, infidel, or immoral character, or that reflects on any religious denomination, shall be used or distributed in any common school. No sectarian, infidel, or immoral doctrine shall be taught in any common school.
    No definition is given for “sectarian, infidel, or immoral”. I guess that is left up to the local school boards. No problems there, right?

    and my personal favourite
    .200 Moral instruction.

    with instructions for implementation
    220 Time allowed for moral instruction in suitable place.
    The boards of education shall allow pupils who have expressed a desire for moral instruction to be excused for at least one (1) hour, one (1) day each week to attend their respective places of worship or some other suitable place to receive moral instruction in accordance with the religious faith or preference of the pupils.

    My question must be: How in the hell are they continuing with this blatant violation of numerous Supreme Court decisions?

  81. recovering catholic says

    Thanks for the great advice, Brandon! This info will be a big help for those of us trying to get started.

  83. John Kwok says

    @ Gorobei –

    Alas we do have some ignorant hordes here in the Big Apple, but if this is any consolation, I am still smiling thinking about how much the audience laughed at Behe and Dembski during the Spring 2002 AMNH ID debate (Incidentally, I had some grave reservations about holding an ID debate there at AMNH, protested vehemently to several AMNH employees at AMNH, and finally, was strongly advised by Ken Miller – who, along with Robert Pennock argued the “Con” with respect to the proposition that ID is valid science – to “shut up”. Am recounting this only to let PZ and others know that I’ve had had strong disagreements with Ken Miller in the past.). However, years later, I read a different recollection from Behe, who claimed to me in a private e-mail, that the audience wasn’t laughing at him and Dembski.

    Regards,

    John

  84. John Kwok says

    @ PZ –

    Great job, PZ. If you haven’t thought of it already, you should post this too at PT as a public service.

    Best regards,

    John

  86. says

    New Mexico’s Creationism-In-The-Classroom Protection bill has been introduced in the NM Senate.

    The money graf:

    The New Mexico Public Education Department, school district governing authorities, and school district administrators may not prohibit any teacher, when biological evolution or chemical evolution is being taught in accordance with adopted standards and curricula, from informing students about relevant scientific information regarding either the scientific strengths or scientific weaknesses pertaining to biological evolution or chemical evolution. A teacher who chooses to provide such information shall be protected from reassignment, termination, discipline or other discrimination for doing so.

    Introduced by Sen Kent Cravens.

  87. WCG says

    Hmm,… the Nebraska group looks like it’s dead. The contact email address isn’t valid anymore, and the Yahoo group just contains a few spam postings from recent years. Too bad.

  89. Basset_Fan says

    Aloha from Hawai`i!!

    I live on the southernmost tip of the Big Island and I really love this place. I’ve been visiting here since 1963 and moved here to retire just over a year ago. This topic really hits home for me.

    Presently there does not appear to be a grass roots organisation for the promotion of science education. I did turn up the following:

    Hawaii Science Teachers Association

    http://www.hasta.us/

    and

    Hawaii Science & Technology Council

    http://www.hiscitech.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=471

    From what I read in the papers I see the University of Hawaii is fighting the good fight, but there are oppositional forces at work on these islands which are constantly retarding the advancement of both education and scientific progress here. A small but powerful group of native Hawaiians declare sacred any land they want protected and cite ancient Hawaiian creation myths as justification for their opposition.

    Here are just a few examples:

    The Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy, California Institute of Technology and the University of California have joined forces to plan and build a Thirty Meter Telescope. After an extensive search process, they’ve selected two potential sites. One is in Chile and the other on Mauna Kea, here on the island of Hawaii.

    While there is also opposition from some environmental groups such as the Sierra Club, the real sticking point is the “cultural and sacred” nature of the site. Here are some links to the issues.

    http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/October-2008/Scrapyard-A-New-Telescope-on-Mauna-Kea/

    Link to opposition to new telescope on “sacred” grounds

    http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/Mauna-Kea-Telescopes.html

    Oh yeah, did you know your tax dollars are going towards the propagation and perpetuation of these very mythologies? “Scientists” on the government payroll write a weekly column for the Hawaii newspapers on the current status of the ongoing eruptions at Kīlauea volcano. Here is how it’s described on the website:

    Volcano Watch

    Volcano Watch is a weekly newsletter written by the scientists at the US Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It is published in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald’s Sunday newspaper and the West Hawai’i Today’s
    Monday newspaper, and posted here the following Monday or Tuesday. While primarily addressed to the residents of the Big Island of Hawai`i, some articles may have a broader scope. Article topics may range from volcanic features on the Big Island, volcanic hazards, informational topics of Long Valley, Montserrat, or Alaska, to topics about the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

    Much of what they write is interesting and appears to be science based. Then, then out of nowhere they will insert some discussion of the Goddess Pele – not in a qualified way such as “According to Hawaiian legend” but straight out as though it was fact.

    I kid you not. Here’s the link.

    http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/

    Go to bottom of page and search the archive using Pele’s name – see how many hits you get.

    Just one example is in the article for August 7, 2008 entitled, “Can We Control Volcanic Hazards?”

    Halema`uma`u Crater is home to Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. It might be wise to note here that Pele’s nemesis, Kamapua`a, once tried to defeat her by inundating the crater with water-he didn’t succeed.

    If tourbus drivers or guides want to spout that stuff, that’s fine, but for so-called “scientists” to do it in the way they do, is just stupid.

    Finally (and I apologize for going on for so long) there is major opposition in the islands to GMO agriculture, especially of Taro & Coffee. I understand people may have different points of view on this issue, but what gets me is the amount of value placed on the opposition presented by Hawaiians who claim they are descended from the Taro plant and it would be a sacrilege to alter it.

    When UofH applied for patents for disease resistant varieties of Taro, “various Hawaiian charter schools, Hawaiian activist groups, taro farmers, and supporters of native Hawaiian rights came together to challenge the
    university’s legitimacy in claiming what Hawaiians believe to be their eldest ancestor, Haloa, the first kalo.”

    http://www.earthfoot.org/lit_zone/taro.htm

    It makes me a little nuts that kids here are exposed to this crap every day. The “Kapunas” or elders go into the schools and teach the “culture” – and the brand of history they teach is so far removed from what actually happened over the centuries that it is barely recognizable. Culture/Myth/Religion are all rolled into one and if you have the temerity to disagree, you are branded a racist.

    Aloha & Mahalo

    PS – I am a total newbie when it comes to html tags but I did the best I could to make things legible.

  91. Biv Dub says

    Another Washingtonian here. Seems like the other WA folk out there have already pointed out the Discovery Institute but there is plenty of other bad science centered out here to keep a watch on. We’re also the home to Bastyr Universiy and people up here seem to devour the “natural = good” line of thinking. I can hardly count the number of arguments I’ve had with friends over why Naturopathy is nonsense. A grassroots science group would have plenty of work cut out for it here.

  94. Alison Robin says

    I’m also in Washington. How would one go about starting one of these organizations for our state?

  95. Lane Taylor says

    Try COPUS:

    http://www.copusproject.org/

    They work at the national level, but are very active in promoting science, and work with a lot of the state groups to provide link sharing, materials, and publicity.

    Oh, and thanks for the shoutout for KCFS.

    Lane Taylor, Vice President, Kansas Citizens for Science

  97. Robster, FCD says

    Kentucky also has kases.org, Kentucky Association of Science Educators and Skeptics, which does some advocacy work. Comstock, if you are in the Lexington area, come to the next “drinking skeptically” on April 9th (link at the top of the kases page). Same to you, PZ, if you ever come down to this happy hunting ground of Kentucke.

  99. recovering catholic says

    TrueBob–
    Regarding the NSTA–don’t forget that they’re the ones who refused to distribute tens of thousands of donated copies of An Inconvenient Truth because they didn’t want to risk offending their “sponsors”, one of which is Exxon Mobil.