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Taste of ISM: The Human Family Tree (and you!) 

Research & Collections Center
A sketched portrait of Charles Darwin is next to his tree of life sketch. Thought bubbles above state “I think.” The background is of cave paintings. ISM Curator Alex Ruger will guide you through the story of human evolution, how we’ve understood (and misunderstood!) our place on the tree of life, and what exactly it means to be Homo sapiens!
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
12:00 PM to 01:00 PM CST
Research and Collections Center
  • 1011 East Ash Street
  • Springfield, Illinois 62703

Who are we, and where do we come from? Lots of people have tried to answer that question. The fossil record tells us a thing or two, but how scientists and popular culture have portrayed human evolution have impacted how we understand it. Curator of Science Education Alex Ruger will take you through what we know about evolution, how we know it, and the various ways the hard science has been misinterpreted and misconstrued. Celebrate Darwin Day with ISM and attend this free lecture from ISM!

 

For more information, please contact dnr.ism.events@illinois.gov.

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