Group Evoluo em Foco: teaching evolution within

and beyond the classroom

Costa, N B ; Carleial, R; Flix, GMF; Lscher-Dias, T; Nunes, CA; Pinheiro, RBP; Valle, IF; Lacorte, GA
Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) - Note: all these authors have contributed equally to the present work
Contact: nbcosta@gmail.com
RESULTS
INTRODUCTION
The first Dia Darwin (Darwin Day) Symposium gave
The four evolutionary principles are essential rise to the creation of the group in 2009. Its success
to biological sciences and consequently spurred the second edition in 2010, when the theme of
valuable to clarify some aspects of high debate origin was explored.
in society, such as the production of GMO, the There were more than 200 participants and 16 speakers
from different Brazilian research institutes in the first Dia
use of pesticides, and drug tolerance. Darwin.
The perception of nature by other sciences and The improvement was evident in the second
forms of knowledge are influenced by these symposium, with 25% more participants and also
principles. This is possible because the core idea speakers who work in different field of studies, from
of the evolutionary theory, variation and Zoology to Philosophy and Journalism.
Also, in 2010 we created the website
differential survival, is widely applicable. www.evolucaoemfoco.com.br by which we can share our
Knowing that the evolutionary theory is ideas with people all around the world.
relevant to society, the group Evoluo em Foco In 2011 we started working in schools via the
worked for two years with popularization of AdaptAo (Adaptation) Project. We went to four
different schools and worked with more than 200
science focusing on evolutionary biology.
students, including those from the Project of Adult
Education that is located at the Federal University of
Minas Gerais (UFMG).
In 2011 there was the third Dia Darwin Symposium,
OBJECTIVES organized together with the Parasitology Department
from UFMG emphasizing the role of evolution within this
The group objective was to reach a more branch of the biological sciences. The presence of more
diverse audience and to encourage the reflection than 360 participants and speakers from different research
of how applicable is the evolutionary theory, not institutes around the world was evidence of the
improvement of the group.
only to science but life in general.
Prof. Edmar Chartoni Prof. Romeu Guimares CONCLUSION
METHODS After two years working with popularization
of science we were able to spread our ideas of
To reach more diverse audiences we
how essential is the evolutionary theory to
implemented three main projects:
more than 600 people. And we have
The AdaptAo (Adaptation) Project, in
confidence that this meme will disseminate
which we offered interactive lectures to
further on its own.
students in high schools;
The Dia Darwin Symposia in the Federal
University of Minas Gerais; AdaptAo Project
The group website www.evolucaoemfoco.com.br,
where we used to post our articles, discussing Paulo Mendes Municipal School
evolution and science.

March 2011
WEBSITE
www.evolucaoemfoco.com.br

Murilo de Jesus Peixoto State School and Mrcio Paulino Private School

April 2011

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