Darwin Now in 2009 will include a vibrant programme of activities and a display which will tour four cities in China. Activities will include Darwin and evolution themed workshops, lectures by scientists, Wildscreen films, theatre and science demonstration shows for school groups, families and adults.

Darwin Now Tour Dates

20 - 30 Nov: Beijing
Venue: Paleozoological Museum of China
Address: NO.142, Xizhimen Wai Street, Xichen District, Beijing

As part of the global celebration of one of the greatest UK scientists, Charles Darwin, the British Council’s Darwin Now project showcases a series of integrated activities consisting of evolution-themed workshops, scientist lectures, widescreen films, theatre and science-related demonstrations as well as exhibitions on his life and theory reaching Xian, Chongqing, Shanghai, Dongguan, Beijing and Hong Kong in 2009.  In July, a selected team of students from China will participate in the International Student Summit at the Natural History Museum in London.

Darwin, a man who changed and shocked the world 150 years ago by his insight on human evolution through the publishing of the book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, continues to be influential today and still provokes controversy. Darwin Now provides an opportunity to explore the ideas that lie at the heart of evolutionary theory in an unprejudiced and open way.

Venue address:
Paleozoological Museum of China, 142 Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai St., Beijing (Opposite to Beijing Zoo)
* National Science Library Chinese Academy of Sciences, 33 Xi Road, North 4th Ring Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing
** Budapest Cafe Restaurant, 2/F Tower 6, China View Branch, Gongti East Road, Beijing (Opposite to East Gate of the worker’s stadium)

Friday 20th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “The Tree of Life”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Life in Cold Blood”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

Saturday 21st Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “Born of Fire”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Darwin’s struggle”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

*10:00-12:00 Scientist Lecture, National Science Library Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lecturer:
Dr. Zerina Johanson (London Natural History Museum)
Prof. Li Chun (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Topic:The evolution of tetrapods
Does the missing link real missing?                

Sunday 22nd Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “The Tree of Life”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Life in Cold Blood”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

*10:00-12:00 Scientist Lecture
Lecturer:
Dr. Zerina Johanson (London Natural History Museum)
Prof. Wu Xinzhi (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Topic:
The evolution of jaws and teeth
The footprint of human evolution                

Tuesday 24th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “Born of Fire”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Darwin’s struggle”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

Wednesday 25th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “The Tree of Life”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Life in Cold Blood”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

Thursday 26th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “Born of Fire”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Darwin’s struggle”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

Friday 27th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “The Tree of Life”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Life in Cold Blood”
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

Saturday 28th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “Born of Fire”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Darwin’s struggle”
14:00-16:00 Scientist Lecture (Prof. Xu Xing, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology Chinese Academy of Sciences)
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

** 10:00-12:00 Cafe Scientifique, Budapest Cafe Restaurant
Lecturer:
Prof. Guo Jianwei (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Topic:
The evolution of evolution theory                

Sunday 29th Nov, Paleozoological Museum of China
10:00-11:00 BBC documentary film “The Tree of Life”
11:00-12:00 Student workshop
14:00-15:00 BBC documentary film “Life in Cold Blood”
14:00-16:00 Scientist Lecture (Prof. Liu Jun, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology Chinese Academy of Sciences)
15:00-16:00 Student workshop

** 10:00-12:00 Cafe Scientifique, Budapest Cafe Restaurant
Lecturer:
Prof. Deng Tao (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Topic:
The evolution of horse

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30 Sept - 8 Oct: Dongguan
Venue: Dongguan Sci-tech Museum
Address: No.2 Meizhong Road,Xin Chengshi Central District, Dongguan, Guangdong

11–20 Sept: Shanghai
Venue: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
Address: 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

10–19 July: Xi'an
Venue: Shaanxi Science and Technology Museum
Address: Southeast Corner, Xin Cheng Square, Xi`An

24 July–2 Aug: Chongqing
Venue: Chongqing Three Gorges Museum
Address:No.236, Renmin Road,Yuzhong District, Chongqing