Join Cool Science for Science on Tap every 2nd Monday of the month upstairs* at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. Presenters begin at 6:30 pm and typically speak for 60-90 minutes including Q&A, with food and drink available beginning at 6:00 pm. A wide variety of fascinating topics are presented by local scientists for informal discussion, and the relaxed atmosphere encourages anyone and everyone to come explore the latest ideas in science and technology. From practical to theoretical, the presentations and group interactions provide a fun and interesting way to gain an understanding of the world around us.
* unfortunately there is no elevator
Join Cool Science for Science on Tap every 2nd Monday of the month upstairs* at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Colorado Springs. Presenters begin at 6:30 pm and typically speak for 60-90 minutes including Q&A, with food and drink available beginning at 6:00 pm. A wide variety of fascinating topics are presented by local scientists for informal discussion, and the relaxed atmosphere encourages anyone and everyone to come explore the latest ideas in science and technology. From practical to theoretical, the presentations and group interactions provide a fun and interesting way to gain an understanding of the world around us.
* unfortunately there is no elevator
Next up: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm.
Evolution in Exile: Lessons Learned from Teaching Evolution to Tibetan Buddhist Monks
Dr. David Westmoreland, U.S. Air Force Academy Biology Dept. (retired)
Summary: “We believe that the Tibetan people came into existence when an ogress mated with a monkey. Is that possible?” A hundred saffron-clad monks sitting cross-legged on floor cushions are waiting for my answer. This moment, and many others like it, showed me that conflicts between cultural beliefs and science are common, whether teaching Buddhist monks or American creationists. Teachers can use these moments to actually enhance the learning environment if they follow a few guidelines.
David Westmoreland was a Professor of Biology at the United States Air Force Academy until his retirement in 2024. For three summers he taught evolutionary biology to exiled Tibetan monks in India in association with the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative. A fourth trip begins in May this year. He is on the board of directors for Science Riot, a nonprofit that trains STEM professionals to communicate science through comedy.
(Special thanks to David for stepping in at the last minute when the speaker we had originally scheduled, John Collins, Founder & CEO of Yogen | Meta Reality Labs, had to cancel. We hope to reschedule John at a future date.)
(Special thanks to David for stepping in at the last minute when the speaker we had originally scheduled, John Collins, Founder & CEO of Yogen | Meta Reality Labs, had to cancel. We hope to reschedule John at a future date.)
|
|
|
|
|
