For its eighth year running, Darwin Day returns to Minot State University Feb. 11-12. Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason, focusing on how all living creatures evolve.

MSU’s Darwin Day celebration begins Feb. 11 with a presentation by Charles Derby, professor of neuroscience at Georgia State University, “Yuk! Yum! Yikes! And Huh? Mechanisms of chemical defense in avoiding predators by inking molluscs,” in Cyril Moore Science Center Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, there will be a variety of biology activities about evolution in Cyril Moore Science Center. As well, individuals may tour the greenhouse and research labs. On the greenhouse tours, they can learn about biology. On the lab tours, they can learn about research in cancer, addiction, herpetology, geology and plant physiology. At noon in Aleshire Theater, guest artist Tom Christison will present “Bacteria Flagellum Not So Fast.” The Darwin Day celebration will conclude with the Brain Bee competition in Aleshire Theater at 1 p.m. This competition for high school students, grades 9-12, challenges students with questions about the brain, in a format similar to a spelling bee. For more information on the Brain Bee competition, visit www.internationalbrainbee.com/.

“We hope to get people more interested in science,” said Heidi Super, chair and professor within the Department of Biology, in a press release.”Too many people distrust science, and we just want to keep chipping away at the walls between the general public and the scientific community. So join us and have a day of fun and learning!”

All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the schedule of events for Darwin Day 2016, please visit http://msubiology.info/.