Monday, November 29, 2010

Reaching out about primates

The Duke/UNC Roots & Shoots group has been keeping busy doing outreach and awareness about primates, working with Dr. Brian Hare and Dr. Anne Pusey in the Evolutionary Anthropology department at Duke.

October 23-24 Dr. Brian Hare and members of his lab, including a handful of Roots & Shoots members, went to Washington, D.C. for the National Science Festival.

Ben Finkel sees if people are as smart as other apes (photo: Chris Adamczyk)


We have also been leading discussions with high schoolers about primates and evolutionary anthropology.
Ben Finkel and Aaron Sandel led a discussion with the high school at Carolina Friends School about bonobos and human behavior. Aaron also led discussions on primate cognition and conservation at Brookline High School in Brookline, MA.

Understanding the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives gives an important perspective on who we are and why we behave in the ways that we do. That is why evolutionary anthropology outreach and education is so important. Also, since so many primates are endangered, we need to raise awareness and brainstorm innovative ways to protect biodiversity. If you would like us to come lead a discussion at your school in the Durham area, please send an email to nc.roots.shoots@gmail.com.