Louisiana Students March On Baton Rouge, Demanding Accurate Science Classes

Louisiana high school student Zack Kopplin has one goal: to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act. Quite the opposite of its name, the bill, passed in 2008, gives public school teachers the ability to teach creationism in their science classes.

Even beyond issues of separation of church and state, Kopplin, a senior, understands the practical impact of the bill on his fellow students.

"When Louisiana students apply to college, people won't know if that student was taught creationism in their science classes," says Kopplin. "Maybe they'll think they don't have the science background to get into college."

Today, Kopplin and his supporters will march on the state capitol in Baton Rouge, demanding that the law be repealed and that accurate, research-based science education be the only curriculum taught in Louisiana classrooms. He's enlisted the help of state senator Karen Carter Peterson, and started a petition on Change.org to rally Louisiana supporters.

But getting this law overturned is no easy task, especially when it was enacted with the help of a well-funded Christian lobbying firm - the Louisiana Family Forum, a spinoff of Christian pundit James Dobson's Focus on the Family. They spent $125,000 getting this bill made law, says Kopplin.

"I'm running a campaign that's not only not asking for donations, but isn't accepting any," says Kopplin."This is a grassroots campaign. Not a well-funded lobbying effort."

What Kopplin lacks in cash is certainly made up for in spirit and support. He gathered the signatures of 42 Nobel Laureates on a letter directed to the state legislature, calling for the law to be repealed.

"Because science plays such a large role in today’s world and because our country’s economic future is dependent upon the United States’ retaining its competitiveness in science, it is vital that students have a sound education about major scientific concepts and their applications," wrote the Laureates in their letter.

In addition, Kopplin's effort has the support of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Center for Science Education,  the Louisiana Science Coalition, the National Association of Biology Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Biology Educators.

Although many have accused Kopplin of leading an anti-religious effort, he's even gathered support from religious groups, like Baptist minister Dr. Welton Gaddy, president of the national Interfaith Alliance.

But Kopplin doesn't like to dwell on the religious arguments surrounding creationism. His concern is his fellow students, and how they'll be affected if their state is branded incompetent when it comes to science education.

"What investor is going to invest in science in Louisiana? We're considered the most anti-science state," says Kopplin.

Louisiana already tried once, and failed, to get creationism taught in public schools. The 1987 Supreme Court case, Edwards v. Aguilar, struck down a Louisiana law mandating the teaching of creationism. But Kopplin doesn't want the lengthy, costly legal battle - he says the law can be overturned now, saving science education and taxpayer dollars.

"The repeal has been rapidly gaining momentum over the last year,” Kopplin told the Washington Post. “People are calling and asking their legislators to take a stand for accurate and evidence-based science."

Are you a Louisiana student or citizen who wants to see this law overturned? Sign Kopplin's petition - Repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act!

Photo credit: de* via Flickr