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Teaching Evolution to Young Children
ALL GIFTS MATCHED dollar-for-dollar until the CAMPAIGN ENDS at MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY!
YOUR GIFT is a vote for early science education - EVERY GIFT HELPS elementary school KIDS!
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
THE PROBLEM: Adaptation by natural selection is a cornerstone concept in science. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many of these misunderstandings derive from natural explanatory biases that can be seen in very young children. And yet natural selection is generally not taught until middle or high school, long after natural explanations have cemented and made adaptation by natural selection a very difficult concept to learn. Natural selection needs to be taught far earlier if we are to plant the seeds of lifelong scientific literacy about Darwin's powerful idea: an idea that explains the functional specialization of living things and the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth,
THE SOLUTION: Young children are smart and naturally curious. Our picture storybook, How The Piloses Evolved Skinny Noses, was carefully designed to help young children understand natural selection in a simple and fun way. And our published research studies show that it works! After reading the book, 5- to 8-year-olds show amazing abilities to apply the complex logic of natural selection to new scenarios at least three months later. This first book in a planned sequence of books on evolution for children has now been beautifully re-illustrated and published by TumbleHome Learning for children, parents and teachers everywhere to enjoy.
WHY WE NEED YOU: We have published this book non-profit: 100% of all funds contributed to this crowdfunding campaign will be used to send the Piloses storybook to schools -- at no cost to them! The more funds we receive, the more schools will benefit. It's that simple.
PLEASE HELP US. We want to get this book into as many under-resourced elementary schools as possible across the United States. We want teachers everywhere to have this unique instructional resource to help children learn the fundamental concept of adaptation by natural selection - and get a strong start on lifelong scientific literacy. Science literacy is central to our nation's future prosperity and our planet's future. But science education is currently under threat. You can do something about that! Please help children put their first steps securely on the ladder to understanding evolution using our evidence-based materials.
Click here for a recent piece in BU Today - with a clip of Prof. Kelemen reading from the book.
$10
Project Supporter
Your name will be listed (unless you request anonymity) on the Donor Wall and the Evolving Minds Project website.
$25
School Science Sponsor
Two hard cover Piloses books will be sent to one school chosen by the Child Cognition Lab based on school need. PLUS your name will be listed (unless you request anonymity) on the Donor Wall and the Evolving Minds Project website.
$50
Sibling School Science Sponsor
Two hard cover Piloses books will be sent to each of two schools: one school designated by you (the donor), the other chosen by the Child Cognition Lab based on school need. (Donor will be prompted after $50 gift is received to name the designated school.) ALSO, your name will be listed (unless you request anonymity) on the Donor Wall and the Evolving Minds Project website.
$100
Big Reader Science Sponsor
One Big Reader Piloses book (11.5" x 15", ideal for reading in class) will be sent to each of two schools: one school designated by the donor, the other school chosen by the Child Cognition Lab based on school need. (Donor will be prompted after $100 gift is received to name the designated school). PLUS, your name will be listed (unless you request anonymity) on the Donor Wall and Evolving Minds Project website.
$125
Poster-Child Science Sponsor
ALL benefits as described for the Big Reader Science Sponsor. PLUS one poster (11" x 15") for classroom or school library display, signed by Project Director Deborah Kelemen, will be inserted into the Big Reader book for each of the two recipient schools. (Sample dedication: "To Washington School students - Science is fun!")
$250
2x PosterChild Science Sponsor
SAME benefits as for Poster-Child Science Sponsor, but sent to a total of four schools: two schools specified by the donor, two chosen by the Child Cognition Lab based on need.
$500
Pilosa School Science Sponsor
30-MINUTE SKYPE CALL or Teleconference with Project Director Deborah Kelemen. PLUS all benefits listed for 2x Poster-Child Science Sponsor. (NOTE: There are ONLY 3 Sponsorships available at this level.)
$1,000
Evolving Minds Project-Sponsor
Your name (personal, family, foundation, business) will listed prominently as a Project Sponsor (unless you request anonymity) on the Partners tab of the Evolving Minds website and on the campaign website Donor Wall. PLUS one 60-MINUTE SKYPE CALL or teleconference with Project Director Deborah Kelemen OR a personal hour-long tour of the Child Cognition Lab at Boston University. PLUS, all benefits listed for 2x Poster-Child Science Sponsor. (NOTE: ONLY (2 Project Sponsorships are available at this level.)