Kopplin talks education
Hanszen College sophomore Zack Kopplin spoke April 1 about advocating to keep creationism out of public schools. The event, which was sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rice American Civil Liberties Union and Rice Empower, took place in Sewall Hall.
Kopplin said the speech was the first he has given at Rice.
"I think it is vital for Rice kids to know about science advocacy because many Rice kids are going to work in scientific fields," Kopplin said. "Far too few students at our university pay attention to science policy. For example, the recent budget sequester will affect many of our classmates' future jobs."
Kopplin said he thinks teaching creationism confuses students about the nature of science and the scientific method.
"Science is simply the way we explain natural phenomena," Kopplin said. "By explanation, we test it, and these tests can be repeated."
A Louisiana native, Kopplin has advocated specifically against the Louisiana Science Education Act.
"Louisiana, my state, is addicted to creationism," Kopplin said. "The Louisiana Science Education Act is a really clever piece of legislation. It never once mentions creationism or intelligent design .... Instead, the Louisiana Science Education Act allows creationism to be taught through a loophole that allows supplemental materials into public school science classrooms."
According to Kopplin, creationism is a national problem.
"These bills, they're spreading," Kopplin said. "In 2012, Tennessee passed [its] own creationism law. For the longest time, Louisiana was No. 1; we were the only state with a creationism law .... Now, there [are] two creationism laws."
Kopplin said he has researched voucher programs around the country and found that at least 300 schools - and probably more - are teaching creationism while receiving millions of dollars in public money.
Kopplin said that in his senior year of high school, he realized he had a voice and a moral responsibility to use it and began a campaign to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act.
Kopplin said a scientific revolution is needed or else his generation will face unprecedented challenges such as an increasingly extreme climate and antibiotic-resistant superbugs. He said he wants to see a reinvestment in science and that science offers a massive return on investment.
Duncan College freshman Michael Donatti said Kopplin's speech was informational and inspiring.
"The speech solidified my perspective by giving it more factual backing," Donatti said. "It also made me hopeful because so many people are fighting for strong science education."
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