Andrew Petto, senior lecturer in the UWM Department of Biological Sciences, received a Friend of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to advancing the teaching of evolution and climate science.
A pioneer in evolution literacy, Petto helped advance education standards in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and helped local school districts to improve how they presented evolution curricula.
Petto served on center’s board of directors from 1994-2014 and as the editor of “Reports of the National Center for Science Education” since 1995.
“ ‘Anj’ served NCSE so long and so well in both capacities that he amply deserves to be named a Friend of Darwin,” said NCSE’s executive director Ann Reid. “More than that, it honors all his work in the cause of science education through his teaching, his activism, and his scholarship.”
With Laurie R. Godfrey, Petto is co-editor of “Scientists Confront Creationism,” revised edition, published by W. W. Norton, Inc. He also is finishing his first year on the Board of Governors of the National Vaccine Education Project.
Previous recipients of the Friend of Darwin award include Neil Shubin, a professor at the University of Chicago and author of “Your Inner Fish” (2008), which was adapted as a PBS TV series.
