News and Events

Why Darwin Still Matters

Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of On the Origin of Species

Pepperdine University is excited that Blind Squirrel Productions has agreed to participate in Why Darwin Still Matters. This production company, made up of high school educators, will be showing "Of Sound and Fury" and "What a Piece of Work is Man," as well as leading a discussion on how to approach the discussion about Darwin and his impact on society in the high school classroom and beyond. 

Film, “Of Sound and Fury: Signifying nothing?”

Few people have had a greater impact on the way people perceive the world than Charles Darwin. Few events in American history have been more influential than what occurred in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925 when the "trial of the century" forever changed the landscape of public discourse, whether from the pulpit, the courtroom, the town meeting, or public school classroom.

The Blind Squirrel production of the documentary "Of Sound and Fury" takes us back to the Scopes Trial and introduces the ideas and the people who finally forced Darwin's ideas into a courtroom setting. Using archival photos and music and through interviews with experts on the Scopes Trial, scholars of Darwin's work and his impact on society, and direct descendants of people involved in the trial still living in Dayton, Tennessee, "Of Sound and Fury" takes the viewer through, not only the trial itself, but the impact of the trial that still has sound and fury in almost every aspect of American culture.

See a clip from "Of Sound and Fury."

“Of Sound and Fury” opens the door for thoughtful discussion within the classroom, and hopefully beyond its doors.

Film, "What a Piece of Work is Man"

American poet e.e. cummings talked about the importance of asking questions when he said "always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question." When Charles Darwin embarked on his voyage on the Beagle, he set off with an open mind and a set of questions about the natural world. After he returned from the Beagle trip Darwin knew that what he discovered about the natural world would be controversial and revolutionary to those who held on to a religious worldview.

In the documentary What a Piece of Work Is Man, Blind Squirrel Productions sets out on its own voyage of discovery to trace Darwin’s impact from the Victorian era to present day, taking the viewer on a trip to visit the people and places where Darwin’s influence is most keenly felt and introducing those who have strong views about Darwin’s impact and his place in our culture.

Through interviews with members of the religious, scientific, historical and legislative communities What a Piece of Work Is Man introduces to the viewer those who have made it their life’s work to investigate the creation/evolution discussion. From scientists like Barbara King and Ken Miller, to professors like Daniel Dennett, to controversial people like Michael Behe, to theologians like Gene Robinson, and to historians like Edward Larson, this documentary will put Darwin in perspective and allow the viewer the tools to engage in thoughtful discussion.

See a clip from "What a Piece of Work is Man."

The Film Makers

The primary producer for Blind Squirrel Productions, Eric Constantineau is Director of Dramatic Arts at Timberlane High School, where he has been teaching for the past 22 years. Eric's goal with his group, The Timberlane Players, is to offer theatrical performances to audiences that become teaching and learning tools for the community. He is most proud of the fact that his theater company was the first public high school in New Hampshire to present "The Laramie Project." In 1999 Eric was one of the teachers honored by the Disney American Teacher Awards.

The primary director for Blind Squirrel Productions, Scott Strainge is a twenty year veteran in the field of education. Sixteen of those years were spent in the classroom while the other four were spent as Director of Education Programs in a museum setting. A five time winner of the Time Warner National Teacher of the Year Award, Scott has traveled around the nation as an educational seminar presenter focusing on students centered educational practices and currently serves as the Curriculum Coordinator for the Humanities at Timberlane Regional High School.

The editor in chief and main camera man for Blind Squirrel Productions, Joshua Silveira has been teaching social studies at Timberlane Regional High School for eleven years graduating from Salem State College with a BA in History and Minor in Secondary Education. In 2005 he traveled to China for five weeks where he taught courses in Geography, History, and American Culture through the program Sino-American Bridge for Education. Josh continues to explore the field of education pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education at The University of New Hampshire.

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