National Center for Science Education

[[File:National Center for Science Education.png|thumb|right|165px|The NCSE logo]]
{{USpolitics}}
The '''National Center for Science Education''' ('''NCSE''') is an [[United States|American]] non-profit organization which combats the [[anti-science|anti-science movement]] in the public sphere, although it focuses nearly exclusively on material relating to the [[origins debate]].  The NCSE acts as a central information and resource clearinghouse for the promotion of [[science]], and helps to coordinate the activities of people fighting anti-science in [[public education]].  They have routinely opposed [[intelligent design]], earning themselves much criticism from [[pseudoscience]]-promoting organizations, like [[Answers in Genesis]]. They are affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

==History==

They were founded in 1981 and incorporated in 1983, by several "Committees of Correspondence" that had been established to fight the promotion of "[[creation science]]" by [[Christian]] [[fundamentalism|fundamentalists]].<ref>[http://www.ncseweb.org/more_about_ncse.asp More about NCSE].</ref> In 1987, [[author]] and lecturer [[Eugenie Scott]] (who holds a PhD in [[anthropology|physical anthropology]]) became its executive director.<ref>Tom McIver in ''Isis'', quoted Eugenie C. Scott's in [http://www.ncseweb.org/evc/ ''Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction''].</ref> Members of its board of directors are selected based on their scientific [[credential]]s.

==Supporters==

The NCSE's current supporters include Bruce Alberts, President of the National Academy of Sciences; Donald Johanson, discoverer of the [[Australopithecus|"Lucy" fossil]]; and [[Evolutionary biology|evolutionary biologist]] [[Francisco Ayala|Francisco J. Ayala]]. Also, the late [[Palaeontology|paleontologist]] and writer [[Stephen Jay Gould]] was a long-time supporter. As of 2008, the group has over 4000 members who are "scientists, teachers, clergy, and citizens with diverse religious affiliations." The NCSE also works with other scientific and educational organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the National Science Teachers Association" (official NCSE website).

Regarding [[religion]], the NCSE is neutral, and they often coordinate their efforts with appropriately pro-science religious organizations. In their publication, ''[[Voices For Evolution]]'', they list various organizations, including religious ones, that either support evolution, or at least the teaching of evolution.

==Notable projects and accomplishments==
In 2003, the NCSE gained international attention with [[Project Steve]].<ref>[http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/3563_project_steve_in_the_media_2_17_2003.asp Project Steve in the media], National Center for Science Education, Last updated February 26, 2004, ''retrieved September 11, 2007''.</ref>

They were a major partner in the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District]] trial. 

In April 2008, the NCSE launched "[http://www.expelledexposed.com Expelled-Exposed]," a website critical of [[Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed]]. The website received press attention and a large amount of traffic.

By 2011, the NCSE had also added combating [[global warming]] [[denialism|denial]] to its repertoire.<ref>[http://ncse.com/news/2011/08/teachers-feeling-heat-over-climate-change-006827 Teachers Feeling Heat Over Climate Change]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Sense About Science]]

==External links==
*[http://ncse.com/ NCSE homepage]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Educational institutions]]
[[Category:Evolution]]
[[Category:Popular science]]

Categories: Educational institutions, Evolution, Popular science