EduCause: UC's Virtual Galapagos Makes a Big Splash in Second Life

Charles Robert Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 — the same day as Abraham Lincoln was, an ocean away. Fifty years later, on November 24, 1859, Darwin published his seminal work, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.”

The University of CIncinnati is now using 21st-century technology and expertise to celebrate and examine Darwin's contributions to many fields of study. Throughout our year-long celebration of the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and the sesquicentennial of the "On the Origin of Species," we hope to communicate the many contemporary applications of

• Darwin’s theory of evolution by common descent,
• the breadth of Darwin’s research and its ramifications,
• the truth of Darwin’s work as a cornerstone of modern science and
• the multiple applications of evolutionary theory throughout UC research.

One exciting activity is the creation of a virtual replica of the Galapagos Islands in Second Life. In the EduCause article, UCit's Chris Collins and Darwin Committee Chair Ron Millard describe the process of and goals for creating the virtual Galapagos, as well as the upcoming classes that will be held in this virtual world.

See what other activities are taking place during the celebration of the Darwin Sesquicentennial.