Darwin Speaks vs Rachel Carson

Charles Darwin, the naturalist, geologist, and leading contributor to the fundamental principles of Evolution, comes alive through synthetic interview technology. Duquesne University biology professor John Pollock collaborated with Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (creator of the Synthetic Interview technology) to develop an interactive experience in which users to select from a list of questions to ask the virtual Darwin, portrayed by Pittsburgh actor and Carnegie Mellon drama alumnus Randy Kovitz. Questions cover Darwin's adventures, the principles of evolution, the public response to his discovery, his childhood, personal quirks and a number of other topics. More than a dozen modern-day biologists, religious authorities, an ACLU lawyer and other experts provide modern commentary and answer questions beyond Darwin's 19th century knowledge. Questions to be answered by Darwin have been drawn from more than 1,000 interviews with K-12 students and adults that were distilled into the 199 most frequently asked questions. Answers to these questions, compiled by Dr. David Lampe, are in Darwin’s own words; drawn from a considerable body of Darwin’s writings, including his notes, books, autobiography, and the thousands of Darwin’s personal letters available through the Darwin Correspondence Project. Principal Funding from the National Institutes of Health/Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) and the John Templeton Foundation. For more information about other evolution education tools visit: www.sepa.duq.edu/darwin/education Please Note: This is a large application. App download may take a few minutes depending on internet speeds. Privacy Policy: https://dynamoid.com/privacy/Darwin+Speaks

With this app students learn about the life and contributions to environmental awareness and science made by Rachel Carson. It discusses the work that Rachel Carson did to help people realize that dangers of widespread use of pesticides. Rachel Carson from an early age had an interest in writing. She was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania in 1907. As a young girl Rachel loved walking in the woods around her town in Western Pennsylvania. She developed a deep appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. She also loved to write. When she was only 11 years old she entered and won first place in a writing contest. Rachel Carson began her college career focused on getting a degree in English and was hoping to become a teacher. During her second year of college at the Pennsylvania College for Women (now, Chatham University) Rachel changed her plans and pursued a degree in biology. Eventually Rachel worked for various government agency where she studied the natual environment with an emphasis on the health and well-being of fish and wildlife. Students will enjoy using this graphically illustrated, interactive learning tool. The timeline feature presents key events in the development of our modern understanding of ecology. By tapping on timeline points brings up descriptions of historically significant events and the role the Rachel Carson played in launcing the environmental movement. A quiz function helps students demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material. Key science concepts are shown in colorful illustrations. We hope this app will inspire students to study biological sciences and also remember the importance of protecting the environment. The app shows that Rachel Carson certainly deserves the place she has earned in the history of the environmental movement.