FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

Free screening of PBS Nova’s “Judgment Day—Intelligent Design on Trial”

FCCJ North Campus presentation March 27 includes post-viewing discussion

What:	“Judgment Day—Intelligent Design on Trial” Screening of the Public Broadcasting System’s Nova documentary, followed by moderated discussion.
When:	March 27 at 1 p.m.
Where:	Florida Community College North Campus, 4501 Capper Road Bldg. D, Lucas Room, (inside Library)
Cost:	Free and open to the public.

Details: “Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial” is about the 2004 lawsuit over the teaching of evolution in the Dover, Pennsylvania public school system (Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District). The school board ordered science teachers to read a statement to high school biology students about an alternative to Darwin’s theory of evolution called intelligent design with the idea that life is too complex to have evolved naturally and so must have been designed by an intelligent agent. The teachers refused to read the statement, and along with 11 parents filed a lawsuit accusing the school board of violating the constitutional separation of church and state. A 2005 judge’s ruling determined that the Dover mandate was unconstitutional, and barred intelligent design from being taught in Pennsylvania's Middle District public school science classrooms. The eight Dover school board members who voted for the intelligent design requirement were all defeated by challengers in a 2005 election.

The documentary covers arguments by lawyers and witnesses in the trial on questions such as “What is evolution?” and “Is intelligent design a scientifically valid alternative?” The documentary is one hour and forty minutes. This event is part of the Darwin Bicentennial Celebration that continues at FCCJ North Campus through Feb. 12, 2009, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. Space is limited.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Dr. Paula Thompson at 904.766.6530 or North Campus Student Life and Leadership Development at 904.766.6786.