Intelligent design?
Comment by Royal Society Education Manager, Peter Spratt Peter.Spratt@rsnz.orgIt has come to our attention that a resource for teaching ‘Intelligent Design’ has been distributed to secondary schools. The Royal Society, like other scientific organisations throughout the world, cannot support the views espoused by the proponents of ‘Intelligent Design’ because their position does not withstand the rigours of scientific enquiry. The ‘intelligent design theory’ is presented as a theoretical innovation supported by scientific evidence. Many critiques of this ‘theory’ point out that the scientific evidence cited is very selective, and conflicting evidence is simply dismissed. The American Association for the Advancement of Science states clearly that ‘ ‘intelligent design theory’ demonstrates significant conceptual flaws, lacks credible scientific evidence, misrepresents scientific facts … and is improper (to be included) as a part of science education.’
At the risk of reminding Alert readers ‘how to suck eggs’, it is perhaps opportune to quote from the University of Waikato that ‘a theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the natural world.’ Theories are developed by gathering evidence and testing hypotheses. There is no evidence that the ‘theory of intelligent design’ is developed in this way; rather the reverse seems true – the theory has been developed and then evidence selected to support it. A scientific theory is falsifiable, i.e. it holds until proven incorrect. The theory of evolution, as first proposed by Darwin and modified since, has stood the test of time and countless attempts to disprove it. Indeed much of the investigation has in fact supported, refined and advanced evolutionary theory well beyond Darwin’s original conception.
The material comes via the religion-based Seattle thinktank Centre for Science and Culture and criticises Darwinism, promoting the concept of an ‘intelligent design’ outside the laws of nature to explain the complexity of living organisms. The resource could perhaps be used by an informed and knowledgeable teacher to engage their students in a stimulating and lively lesson about the nature of science. It can be used as the stimulus to involve students in guided discussion about the processes of science. It would be most unfortunate, and indeed unprofessional, for a teacher to use this resource in a way to reinforce the dogma and unscientific argument upon which it is based.
Marsden Fund recipients announced
The Marsden Fund has announced 79 new research grants, totalling $39.4m. 24 of these are Fast-Start grants for new and emerging researchers.The Marsden grants are funded by the government and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The awards span the social sciences and humanities as well as the physical, biological and earth sciences, and mathematics.
A list of the new projects will be posted to the Royal Society’s web site late afternoon on Thursday, 8 September, and may be viewed at http://www.rsnz.org/funding/marsden_fund/
Te Rangi Hiroa Medal awarded
The Academy Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand has awarded the 2005 Te Rangi Hiroa Medal in social and economic policy and development to Professor Cluny Macpherson, Dept of Sociology, University of Auckland.Professor Cluny Macpherson has made a major contribution to research on the social, cultural and economic development of New Zealand and the Pacific, especially Polynesia. Of particular note is the fact that he has also been a major figure among those scholars documenting the role of Pacific Islanders in the wider New Zealand society. A feature of Macpherson’s career has also been the way that he has gone beyond scholarship into praxis in actively helping development through his community work, mentoring and teaching. The impact of Professor Cluny Macpherson has extended far beyond Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Both in a personal sense and in his academic and scientific life Professor Macpherson has followed in the footsteps of the great Te Rangi Hiroa in whose name this medal is awarded. Professor Macpherson has documented contemporary New Zealand and the Pacific in the era of the second great series of migrations. This was not just between islands, but as Māori and other Polynesians moved to cities in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Job vacancies on FusioNZ
This week, Fusionz has 15 vacancies for jobs. The latest jobs are:*Wool Textile Industry Researcher: South Island *Research Technician, Viticulture: North Island *Research Scientist, Viticulture: North Island *Biostatistician: Wellington *Research Assistant: Auckland
More at http://fusionz.rsnz.org
RHT Bates postgraduate scholarship
Applications are now being called for the 2006 R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship.This Scholarship was established by the Royal Society of New Zealand in memory of Professor Richard Bates FRSNZ. The Scholarship, tenable at any New Zealand university for one year, is available to graduates who are registered for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Students in the physical sciences and engineering will be eligible, with preference being given to those whose research aims to apply information/image processing to studies in medicine, the physical sciences, astronomy or engineering.
Applications close on 1 October 2005.
For further information, see: http://www.rsnz.govt.nz/awards/academy_awards/bates.php
Pouring water on the energy crisis
Comment by Royal Society of New Zealand member, Dr. John Huckerby, Power Projects Limited. john.huckerby@powerprojects.co.nzNew Zealand’s prosperity was founded, in the famous phrase, ‘on the back of the sheep’. Our agri-industrial economy has given us a terrestrial focus but 95% of New Zealand is actually marine – our Exclusive Economic Zone. Our indigenous energy supply is also largely terrestrial but this supply is declining, as our demand for energy is steadily growing. New Zealand is self-sufficient in coal and gas, although, without further gas exploration success, it is unlikely that our self-sufficiency in gas will last more than about 10 years. We have never been self-sufficient in oil but the domestic contribution to supply has dropped from a peak of 65% to less than 25%. Without further oil exploration success, this supply will dwindle rapidly.
New Zealand needs to develop new indigenous energy sources to secure our future supply and supply our future security. Our economy will be weaker and vulnerable, if we have to rely on imported energy.
We have seen the early stages of wind energy and biomass developments and further developments are planned. But we have yet to see the massive potential energy of our oceans harnessed to contribute to our energy supply portfolio.
Waves and tides have existed for as long as the oceans – we are unlikely to run out – and wave and tidal energy devices do not extract much of the available energy at any site. Although they are not continuous, tides are entirely predictable and waves can be forecast for at least two days in advance. They produce no greenhouse gas emissions and will, arguably, have fewer environmental impacts than wind or biomass energy developments. Wave and tidal energy are conveniently distributed around our coasts, just like our population. They thus lend themselves to distributed solutions and may best be considered as part of regional energy supply solutions, supporting weak grids and remoter communities.
France has had a 240 MW tidal barrage operating since 1967 and the first commercial wave farm will be commissioned off Portugal in 2006. The pace of technological development is rapid. Marine energy may be at the same stage that wind energy developments were in the 1970s. Of course, marine energy developments will only be taken up, if they are economically competitive with other technologies.
Wave and tidal energy is indigenous, inexhaustible, predictable, distributed and available. It should form part of our future energy supply portfolio. Our future may be riding the crest of a wave, rather than the back of a sheep.
For more information see the Publications page at: http://www.powerprojects.co.nz/
Election platforms
The New Zealand Association of Scientists has solicited science policy statements from each of the political parties who were represented in Parliament as at 1 June 2005 and who announced their intention to contest the 2005 General Election.See http://nzas.rsnz.org/special/election05.html to read statements currently from the ACT, Green, Labour, Māori, NZ First, and United Future parties.
Wool industry scholarships
Two new scholarships and a fellowship are being made available by the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Inc and the New Zealand Wool Industry Charitable Trust, for studies related to the wool textile industry.*An Undergraduate scholarship to be awarded every 3rd year to pursue a career in textile science and technology. The successful scholar will undertake study that will provide them with the education and training to support the sustainable development of the New Zealand Wool Industry.
*A Postgraduate scholarship to be awarded annually for study at Lincoln-based Canesis, to be taken up in conjunction with a New Zealand university. Applications are invited for research projects related to wool, ranging from protein chemistry to mechanical processing.
*A Post Doctoral fellowship to be awarded annually for study at Lincoln-based Canesis, to be taken up in conjunction with a New Zealand university. Applications are invited for research projects related to wool, ranging from protein chemistry to mechanical processing.
Full details are available on http://www.meatnz.co.nz/main.cfm?id=13
BNZ Scholarship winners
Each year the BNZ awards one post-graduate and one under-graduate scholarship to students at the eight New Zealand universities.This year’s Massey University recipients are BSc(Hons) student Carla Eaton and MSc student Rachel Crimp. Winners of the under-graduate scholarship receive $3,000, and post-graduate students are awarded $4,000.
Carla aims to specialise in genetic cancer research when she completes her PhD at Massey University. Rachel is also aiming to contribute to improved health for children in Vanuatu. Her Master of Science research paper is about the dental health of the children on the island of Ambrym in Vanuatu.
Bank of New Zealand has been rewarding tertiary students that display outstanding leadership and community involvement with scholarships since 1990. Information for those interested in applying for the 2006 Bank of New Zealand scholarships will be posted on http://www.nzvcc.ac.nz and http://www.bnz.co.nz
Journalist Kim Griggs reports from UK
New Zealand freelance journalist Kim Griggs is at the BA Festival of Science in Dublin, with the support of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the British Council New Zealand.Find out about what she has been experiencing at her first three days at the festival by reading her online blog at http://www.britishcouncil.org/nz-science-ba-science-festival.htm
Primary school astronomy gets liftoff
A new course ‘Astronomy for Little Stars’ has been made available to primary school students on the Internet.Carter Observatory, the New Zealand’s National Observatory, provides the course free to schools. Teachers may enrol classes of students and have them then work independently on the Internet.
The course was designed by National Observatory astronomers and is intended to motivate students. It is a basic introduction to astronomy, and for many students it is their first experience of study on the Internet.
Students that complete the course receive a certificate. The certificates are sent to the teachers email addresses and they print them out for presentation to the students.
For more information about this subject contact Robert Shaw Tel (04) 233 0252
Workshops: biodiversity in forests
Biodiversity conservation is becoming an increasingly important topic in production landscapes including in plantation forests.This is especially so in cases where threatened species occur, in regions where little native forest remains, when forests are being assessed for sustainable management, or when new plantations are being planned. Ensis (formerly Forest Research) will be holding workshops on biodiversity issues in plantation forests. These will be of interest to people working in conservation, forestry, research, local government, etc. There is no fee for attendance but a contribution of $10 will be required to cover catering costs (lunch and tea will be provided).
Please register with eckehard.brockerhoff@ensisjv.com or fax (03)364 2812.
*Workshop 1, Christchurch, 26 September 2005, 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Ensis/School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Forestry Road, Room F2 *Workshop 2, Rotorua, 13 October 2005, 10.00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ensis/SCION, Sala Street, Rimu Room
History/philosophy of science conf
The 2005 annual conference of The Australasian Association for History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science (AAHPSSS) will be held in Dunedin, 3-7 December.Conference themes include: Science in (or about) Southern Lands; Trans-Tasman Environmental History; Atomic Australia and Nuclear New Zealand; The Popularisation of Science; The Exact Sciences in Antiquity; Einstein and Theories of Relativity, 1905-2005. The conference programme is already fairly full but papers offering philosophical, historical and social analyses on the above themes are still being considered. For further information see the website of the Society at http://www.usyd.edu.au/hps/aahpsss/
New television science series
A dynamic new multi-media series, QTV, designed to engage young people’s interest in the world around them, is about to air on TV One in September.Presented by the Q team – four young people with a passion for finding out for themselves what makes the real world tick, each programme explores an aspect of a ‘big science’ theme and engages with the New Zealanders whose job it is to help find sustainable solutions to the global issues confronting us.
Project Q is a joint venture between Oliver Giles Productions Limited, The Sir Peter Blake Trust, TVNZ, NIWA, CRI, Transpower, The Vodafone Foundation and the Ministry of Education with strategic partners Oktobor Interactive and the Royal Society of NZ. It encompasses a 13 part television science series and interactive website and the first of a series on DVD, Q Careers which features 10 profiles of young scientists from NZ.
The first episode of QTV, Microbial Forensics, screens on TV One, 21 September, at 3.30 p.m. Contact Qteam Producer, Glenis Giles. email: glenis.g@paradise.net.nz or Tel: 021650387. To order the Science DVD or find out more, visit the website at http://www.qteam.co.nz or http://www.tvnz.co.nz Keyword QTV and enter the competition to win a week with a dolphin scientist in Northland or a 10 day a cruise on The Spirit of Adventure.
E-research: what’s in it for you?
Anne Marie Lansdown, of Australia’s Department of Education, Science and Technology was writing recently on e-research. Below are some extracts from what she wrote (see http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/depts/itcs/questnet2005/papers/Anne-Marie_Lansdown.PDF):Australia has made considerable investments in infrastructure to support e-Research. What is needed is a coordinated strategy to harness these investments. We are now collectively facing various issues of common interest: * Accessibility to research data and outputs, which has implications for resource management, and, development and availability of middleware * Cultural issues, including awareness by researchers of opportunities of e-Research and the benefits of collaboration * Skills issues, to ensure that the relevant skills to support e-Research are available * Legal issues including intellectual property and privacy * Engagement by industry, as many barriers need to be overcome * International linkage and collaboration, which is vital if Australia is to participate in e-Research in the most efficient and effective way * Data issues, such as data storage and management, including those obtained from instruments and sensors * Research issues if Australia wishes to develop a capability and capacity to work in this discipline internationally.
To capitalise on the potential of Australia’s research capabilities and infrastructure, the Government has established an overarching e-Research Coordinating Committee. Infrastructure is a necessary condition for participation in e-Research, but not a sufficient condition. Equally important is the engagement of stakeholders in the adoption of e-Research in their organisations to take advantage of the infrastructure available in Australia and overseas. Currently e-Research developments are the product of a small number of researchers and there is a need to disseminate the benefits of e-Research to the wider research community.
Workshop: impact of health research
A two-day workshop in Auckland 10 to 11 November 2005, convened by the HRC, will explore how the impact and outcomes of health research can be measured, and the pathways to knowledge transfer and research uptake identified.The workshop will include a combination of key note addresses and case studies, as well as panel discussions, where an opportunity will be provided for representatives from organisations of the five countries presenting at the workshop to address the following topics:
*How do we encourage research utilisation, and what is the role of the funder? *Approaches to measuring health research outcomes what works, and what could we improve?
The keynote address for the workshop will be delivered by Professor Luke Georghiou, who is based at the University of Manchester’s Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology research centre.
Information on the workshop: http://www.hrc.govt.nz
Electronic registration: https://easy.hrc.govt.nz/hrimpactworkshop/index.php
The external face of the EU
On Friday 9 September, a Masters Student from the University of Canterbury’s National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE), Serena Martin, will speak about ‘The Changing Face of European External Diplomacy’.Open to the public, the seminar will take place at 2.10 p.m. at the NCRE Seminar Room on Level 2 of the university’s Geography Building. The European Commission has more than 120 Delegations throughout the world which serve as ‘embassies’ for the European Union. Martin’s talk will likely touch on the EU Constitution which, if it is passed, will see the formation of a European Union External Action Service and the establishment of embassies of the European Union.
Declaration on animal research
Exactly 15 years since a similar initiative, over 500 leading academic UK scientists and doctors have signed a Declaration on Animals in Medical Research.The Declaration states: ‘Throughout the world people enjoy a better quality of life because of advances made possible through medical research, and the development of new medicines and other treatments. A small but vital part of that work involves the use of animals.’
The Declaration includes statements about ethics, animal welfare, regulation and transparency.
Those who have signed up to the Declaration include 3 Nobel laureates, 190 Fellows of the Royal Society (London) and the Medical Royal Colleges and over 250 academic Professors. A further 100 scientists from overseas have signed as well as nearly 100 scientists from industry, bringing the total to over 700. The Declaration is signed by scientists as individuals, and does not necessarily indicate the support of their institution or affiliated organisation.
The 2005 Declaration reaffirms positive statements about the need for animal research, by the Royal Society in 2004 and the House of Lords select committee on animals in scientific procedures in 2002. It states that researchers should gain the medical and scientific benefits of animal research with minimal suffering and distress and make every effort to safeguard animal welfare. Wherever possible, animals must be replaced by non-animal methods and the numbers of animals reduced.These principles form the basis of the strict UK controls on animal research.
See website: http://www.rds-net.org.uk/pages/news.asp?i_PageID=1964&i_ToolbarID=6 for further information.
Council for Science opens Africa office
The International Council for Science’s (ICSU) new Africa office officially opened on 1 September.The office is based at the National Research Foundation in Tshwane (formerly Pretoria). Its first director, Sospeter Muhongo, a Tanzanian professor of geology, told SciDev.Net after the launch that he had four priorities for ICSU-Africa.
Health and human wellbeing top his list, followed by hazards such as pollution and deforestation; sustainable energy; and global climate change.
One of the office’s first activities will be to set up a network of climate change researchers from across the continent. The network will work on sub-regional ecosystem assessments based on the United Nations’ Millennium Ecosystem.
