This is absolutely unbelievable. On second thought, it is believable, for it’s in the U.S. Check out the caveat emptor at the bottom of the poster shown below.

When I got this picture from a tw**t by Adam Rogers via Emily Ladawalla and then Matthew Cobb, I wasn’t sure where it was from, but figured it had to be from my benighted country. Where else would a science organization give an “evolution warning” for a presentation? And, indeed, it’s American, to our eternally continuing shame.

The clue was the words “Curi Odyssey” at the bottom of the poster, which tells that it’s from an eponymous organization that runs a center for children’s science education at Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo, California. Curi Odyssey’s mission statement is below:

Mission Statement:

As a science and wildlife center, CuriOdyssey helps children acquire the tools to deeply understand the changing world. Children are natural scientists. They are naturally curious, innately experimental, and diligent in their pursuit to understand something. At CuriOdyssey, we foster scientific curiosity. We give young learners the opportunity to make discoveries at their own pace, one brain-building revelation after another. We do this by offering children real-world experiences with inquiry and investigation. Here, young people can explore interactive science exhibits and have up-close encounters with native California animals (our 100 animals have come to us as rescued or non-releasable).

Those are admirable goals, so more’s the pity that announcements of its programs look like this:

While I suppose other interpretations are possible, it’s most likely that the “This program may discuss the topic of evolution” is a trigger warning for creationists or those whose sensibilities may be offended by the “e-word”. But that’s reprehensible, particularly in a place where evolution should not only be taken for granted, but positively promoted as one of the world’s wonders that will excite kids about science. The only reason for such a warning seems to be to avoid injuring parents’ religious beliefs. But if they have those beliefs,that’s just too damn bad, for they’re in a science center. Evolution is real, it’s the explanation for all those reptiles and their behaviors, and if they don’t want to encounter scientific truth they shouldn’t bring their kids to Curi Odyssey.

Curi Odyssey also has exhibits of live animals, programs and workshops for children—all the stuff you need to turn kids on to science. Why turn them off by giving “evolution” such a sinister aura?

I’ve written the organization at a couple of its contact addresses, simply making polite inquiries about why they do this, and suggesting that they may want to regard evolution as a bonus, not as as something to avoid. My email is below. There’s also a box at the bottom of that page to contact them directly. Stay tuned.

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Dear Curi Odyssey,

I’m an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago, and the picture I attach, advertising one of your events, came to my attention. Since I teach evolution on the college level, but also to children of various ages, the “warning” at the bottom of the sign—”This program may discuss the topic of evolution”—was somewhat disturbing.

I can’t see any purpose to this caveat save to warn parents that the program may contain something repugnant to them: evolution. I am writing to ask if this is indeed the case, and, if so, to ask you to please reconsider implying that ”evolution” is something that may be disturbing—something parents may not want their children to encounter. I wrote a book on the evidence for evolution (Why Evolution is True, which was a New York Times bestseller), and, as you know, that evidence is massive and multifarious. Evolution is true, and it is something that children should not only hear about, but which should excite them even more about the wonders of our planet.

If that addition about the “e-word” is indeed a warning to prospective visitors, it seems unnecessary. I don’t see why an organization like yours, which is so admirable in its dedication to educating children about science, needs to warn them off one of the most amazing discoveries of modern science. Of course some parents (or their children) might have religiously-based objections to evolution, but I also think there’s no need for science education centers to cater to such sentiments. Evolution happens to be true, and people need to learn about it. Making it seem “scary” in this way only adds to the bad feelings people have about such a marvelous view of life, and deprives children of a proper grounding in biology.

I would be most grateful if you’d call my concerns to the attention of your Board of Trustees and your advisory council. And I’d be delighted if you’d respond to this email.

Thanks very much, and best wishes in your endeavors,

Jerry Coyne

Professor of Ecology and Evolution

The University of Chicago