Knoxville, TN –The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture invites families to join in the festivities of the Annual Darwin Day Celebration on Sunday, February 11, in honor of Charles Darwin’s 215th birthday. The event will run from 12 pm to 4 pm, is free to attend, and promises a captivating experience for both children and adults.  

Families will spend the day exploring the wonders of deep time, evolution, adaptation, and Darwin’s scientific legacy through hands-on activities. Dynamic activity stations led by museum educators and University of Tennessee scientists will provide guests an opportunity to learn about diverse facets of biology, examine fossil specimens up close, get creative with arts and crafts, and take photos with a ten-foot-tall Darwin puppet.  

“Celebrating science and evolution in a family-oriented program can help kids foster scientific curiosity and an understanding of complex topics like evolution at an early age,” said Nicole Lussier, UT student and President of the Darwin Week Committee. “These concepts can promote a positive attitude towards learning and critical thinking.”  

The celebration extends beyond mere observation, inviting families to actively engage with the wonders of the natural world. Visitors are encouraged to bring their rock collections to the museum. Experts will be available to identify rocks and fossils, fostering a deeper connection to Earth’s history and the evolutionary journey that has shaped our planet. 

The Darwin Day celebration is free to attend. Interested participants are encouraged to register at https://tiny.utk.edu/darwinday24  

This event is made possible through the support of contributing partners at UT, including the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Anthropology, the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the UT Herbarium, and the UT Libraries. Additional funding for Darwin Day is provided by Knox County’s Tourism Consortium. 

About the McClung Museum   

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is at 1327 Circle Park Drive. Museum admission is free, and visiting hours are 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday–Saturday and 12 pm to 4 pm on Sundays. Visitors should register at tiny.utk.edu/visitmcclung and review the visitor guidelines, parking information, and check-in process.   

 

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If you would like more information, please contact Emily Reichard (ereichar@utk.edu, 865-974-2144)