From the APS Museum:
Lecture: Karen Snetselaar, “Charles Darwin the Experimental Botanist”
MARCH 23, 2010Charles Darwin is recognized world-wide for developing and disseminating ideas on evolution and natural selection. His work as an experimental scientist is less well-known. As a botanist, Darwin carried out a number of elegant experiments directed at understanding such wide-ranging topics as plant movement in response to light, mechanisms by which plants prevent self-fertilization, and responses of insectivorous plants to different food sources. As a gentleman scientist, Darwin did many of his experiments in his house or on the surrounding grounds, often involving his children in the activities. This talk will describe some of these botanical experiments and their impact on future plant biologists.
Dr. Karen Snetselaar is Professor and Chair of Biology at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She is a botanist whose research is focused on plant symbiosis and fungi and has published extensively in science journals. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Saint Joseph’s University, Dr. Snetselaar directs a program that brings hands-on science into Philadelphia elementary school classrooms. She has been teaching for the Wagner Institute since 1997 as a member of the adult education faculty and through the GeoKids program, a partnership with four elementary schools.
This lecture is hosted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
5:00 – 6:15pm – view Dialogues with Darwin in Philosophical Hall, 104 South Fifth Street
6:30pm – Karen Snetselaar lecture in Franklin Hall, 427 Chestnut St.After the lecture, APS Museum Director and Curator Sue Ann Prince will offer a curatorial tour of the exhibit and refreshments will be served.
Fee: $10 PHS members and Friends of the APS, $20 non-members.
To register and purchase tickets, please contact Carol Dutill at 215-988-8869 orcdutill@pennhort.org
The Dispersal of Darwin 