About Zack Kopplin 
Zack Kopplin is a freshman at Rice University and a recent graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Zack grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and he is working to make sure that he and other Louisiana kids will be able to get jobs after they graduate. Since June, 2010, Zack has led the effort to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act, Louisiana’s misnamed and misguided creationism law. He is organizing Louisiana students and citizens in support of his repeal. When not fighting for science, Zack likes to play soccer and swim.
About The Louisiana Science Education Act
The Louisiana Science Education Act is stealth legislation to promote the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in public school science class. We introduced a repeal of the LSEA in the spring 2011 legislative session, and we will introduce a new bill every year until we succeed.
About the SB 70
SB 70 to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act was introduced on April 15, 2011 in the Louisiana State Senate by Senator Karen Carter Peterson. Representative Walt Leger offered to handle the House version of the bill when it passed the Senate. A new version of the bill will be sponsored in the spring of 2012.
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Congratulations for standing up against superstition in the name of science Zack. I’ll be watching you efforts and awaiting the results. May reason prevail.
Thanks Steve!
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Keep up the good work, Zack. Now more than ever Americans need to be scientifically literate.
Places like the growing New Orleans Bio District are making scientific literacy especially important for Louisiana kids.
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Here’s to you and your future successes Zack. Let’s us hope that this bill gets repealed and that those in other states do not suffer from the creationist agenda to get itself into the science classroom.
As a BRMHS alumna (’05) and medical student, I applaud your efforts to repeal this law and am proud to share my alma mater with you. Here’s hoping these efforts are successful.
Thanks for taking on the issue in such a productive and positive way. Best of luck for your future!
Zack, this is so great, necessary, essential and brave that you are doing this. The Louisiana Science Education Act is largely unknown to the public and MUST be repealed. Please allow me to offer this link.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/howdoi2.htm#9
There you can find your legislators and contact them with your support of SB 70. Do you have any template that we could use for that?
(BRMHS 2006, LSU Geology 2010)
Thank you!
Barbara Forrest has a page set up that has very good resources:
http://lasciencecoalition.org/lsea-repeal-resources/
Also, there is an online petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/student-petition-in-support-of-sb-70-to-repeal-the-louisiana-science-education-act
To the Group:
Thank you for these excellent web on-line resources!
Cheers!
I graduated from Bunkie High School in Bunkie Louisiana in 1987. This was the year that Aguillard vs. Edwards was repealed so I am empathetic to Zack Kopplin’s situation. Regrettably, I suffered through a public biology education that did not cover evolution. Of course this means that I didn’t really have a biology education in high school since biology is essentially the science of evolution. Ironically, the law had affected me in a way opposite of that intended. I sought out a copy of the Origin of Species in the school library and read it. I found the book so interesting that, as a result, I went on to study biology in college and then received an M.S. and Ph.D. in biology. I currently conduct research on adaptation as my primary area of interest and teach several courses on evolution. I no longer live in Louisiana. This is largely because I can’t tolerate living in a state that not only celebrates ignorance but attempts to legislate it as well. I am embarrassed that I didn’t have the courage or motivation that Zack did. I took the coward’s way out and fled the state. Don’t give up the fight Zack! Scientific literacy matters.
Thank You very much for your courage in standing up. I recently graduated from a school where creation was taught and it was truly frighting. Dominionists Christians want to use the Bible as a basis for education. I am not against religion (I am a Christian) but this is truly ridiculous.
Zack, saw, and was impressed with your appearance on MSNBC today. My best to you in your efforts to drag Louisiana public education into the 21st Century. Gosh, America has been at odds with these creationist wing nuts since at least the Scopes Trial of the 1920′s. Go figure!
Be brave Zack, destroy these backwards and cynical cretins who want to lie to children…
Keep it up Zach. Ignorance only fails because of people like you pushing back.
You were absolutely brilliant on Hardball tonight!!! Lucid, to the point, and, obviously, a sense of humor surrounding the enormity of the brainlessness of the creationists’ proposal.
Let me just say, well done. I was born in Louisiana and I heard that the schools there were some of the worst in the nation. This so-called “science act” just made it worse. I’m glad that there are people there like you, Zack, fighting for truth.
It’s a Jungle out there
My theory on evolution?…
Well I’m here to be tellin’ you…
I think there’s something to this-
And perhaps it may be true!
We were once just little fishies;
As Mr. Darwin theory mean…
I see the fish resemblance…
Aren’t there those who swim upstream??
And to expand upon that theory:
We went from tail, skipped two, got four…
But if it’s evolution?….
How come there’s fish still more???
But anyway – it doesn’t matter-
Just believe like they do too…
And blend in with that thinking…
-Like chameleon lizards do!
Having babies and leaving them…
Like the stories we’ve all heard:
With no protection or safety-
…Just like the Doo-Doo bird!
Just do the research for yourself…
Or look at chicken’s ways:
No backbone just a wishbone-
…And stays cooped up for days!
I’ve always bought the theory-
We’re lead astray by words…
And according to Mr. Darwin:
That’s just like sheep in herds!!
We climbed atop the food chain-
So we turned a carnivore…
A vicious beast who eats their young!!!…
(Like the people do next door!)
Oh, They don’t really eat them-
I mean they scream and yell and shout…
We do have a sense of conscious(???)
(I don’t think Darwin spoke about?)
Mr. Darwin says it’s science-
Not a God who spoke some words…
How can words have power?…
-It’s proved by science nerds!
Who am I to question…
Or my own opinion fight?
That’d make a doubting Thomas…
And that’s too human right???
The burden of Mr. Darwin:
I mean – to “trace ancestry down”…
Who could ever bear it?
(Without the biggest ass in town?)
I should believe his theory!…
Instead of God that’s proven great..
Makes sense with evolution-
…That we’d become worm bait.
Hey wait a minute! Now I get it!!-
Mr. Darwin you’re the winner!
Be the thing that feeds the worms-
And then become – fish dinner!….
I hope your feeling better-
And have put your mind to rest…
Stick to ‘worm-bait’ theory:
Not a God who wants the best…..
Believe in God that you can’t prove?
And/or science can explain?….
If that’s what we’ve evolved to-
I guess love; is just a name…
For me the most important proof-
That I still can not escape:
That people actually believe this…
Behold!: The big dumb ape!
-From the book: The writings on the wall…..
by Kaptain Obvious
Way to go, Zack! I am a BRMHS alumna and couldn’t be more proud of your efforts to turn down this law and show that a quality education from a public high school in Louisiana IS possible. Keep up the fight!
BRMHS ’05 grad
Zack, I full-heartedly support your efforts in the repeal of this legislation!
I am a New Orleans transplant- originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- and feel so lucky to have had the access to such amazing teachers and resources that helped fuel my passion for science.
I have since molded my university education around science and plan to continue that on to teaching efforts as a biology instructor for Louisiana youth.
If I wasn’t awarded with such a strong science educational background during my high school years- I don’t know who I would be today. I would love to help in any way that I can with this repeal!
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I am truly inspired by your nerve and how far you have pushed your cause. I am of the same mind, and while I’m a freshman in college, I too have found a passion for the call against the misleading and misinforming of high-school students through the teaching of creationism. I whole-heartedly support your cause.
Good luck.
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Well done Zack. I can imagine it’s not easy to take such a stand on this issue in the US. Let rationalism prevail over supernaturalism. I’ll be following this with great interest
Such a shame that the world is coming to people fighting against the true God who created them. I pray that you are unsuccessful in these efforts and that God will put you in the place you belong. It’s about time Christians stand up for what we believe and fight against people like you who are causing problems within society such as you. I hope that your little rant goes down and that you will find Jesus.
Many Christians (and people of all different religions) have no trouble reconciling evolution and their faith. One is faith and the other is science, so one doesn’t belong in public school science classrooms in the United States.
I’d recommend you read the NCSE’s page on religion:
http://ncse.com/religion
Ok, let me come into your congregation and teach evolution than. The fact is what is taught in schools is fact and the closest we can come to them. With years of research to support them. Creationism has no foot to stand on unless you go to a church Christianity is YOUR religion. Other people practice other faiths…or none at all.
You are welcome to believe what you want to believe. Students can believe what they want to believe. The job of the school is to provide them with facts and make sure they know the material. The students can take it or leave it, as long as they get a passing grade.
How is teaching what scientists the world over have tested and observed to be true causing problems within society?
Don’t worry, you can comfort yourself by saying he’ll burn in Hell for all eternity after he wins this fight to keep your kind of ignorance out of schools, and I’m sure you will too.
I went to a Roman Catholic school in the UK. I studied Biology up to ‘A’ Level (18 years old). In 1978/79 I was being taught facets of evolution by the same lay preacher that was teaching me about sections of the Old Testament. There is no reason why one shouldn’t be a Christian and a Paleontologist. Frankly, people relying on denial of evolution to bolster their belief in God have already lost the argument and should now just accept that there probably isn’t a god. Their stance in this instance is just tantamount to lying to themselves (and bearing false witness is a sin).
I really hope you’re successful in this fight! I’m a student in Louisiana as well, and I hate the thought that some day my kids would be taught this un-scientific dogma in schools
You should be ashamed. What you are doing is wrong and is blasphemous and you should be punish for it. Soccer is not a true American sport and that’s final!
（╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ *reads rest of comment* ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
p.s. Good luck on your endeavour…
Good luck kid! Its not easy to get people to listen to reason.
Keep it up Zach, as a former science teacher it is good to see the love for true science and not pseudoscience in students. People like the other Brian here are far too indoctrinated to see why they are just plain wrong. Good luck in this endeavor.
Zack,
You seriously restore my faith in people and your generation. You are smart and focused on the goal. I especially appreciate and admire the maturity you show in the face of the irrational and often uncivil opposition. It’s not just Science education that you are fighting to protect but also the principles set out by the Enlightenment free-thinkers who founded this country. I wish I could express my gratitude in words for your efforts. Many thanks.
Jeremy
Way to be, man. I live in BC, Canada, where this hasn’t ever been an issue (except the bible bubble in the interior, but forget about them, nobody likes them), so I can only imagine how much of a piss-off this must be. Just reading about these steps in the wrong direction frustrates me. If it ever happened where I live, I don’t think I could remain cool-headed; I’d go nuts.
Keep up the good work.
Keep up the good work you can do it!
I absolutely agree with your sentiment; Creationism should not be taught in public school. It is unconstitutional. Public schools are state funded and therefore cannot be utilized as a grounds for preaching religion. It’s just a way for Christians to “advertise” their faith. Public school students need a religion-free environment to excel in education. Any parent who disagrees can send their kid to private school. Creationism is not a theory; a theory has a foundation in many, many years of research, experimentation, peer reviewed journals, observable evidence and strict guidelines. It’s just ridiculous that anyone would entertain the thought of teaching creationism as a fact. We might as well incorporate the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny in public school curriculum.
I hope the best for the outcome that you seek. I wish I could do more than give you my encouraging words. Just know we are with you!
Keep fighting the good fight!
Best wishes from Germany,
you are doing the right thing, Zack!
Zach you are wrong because I think if they teach one side of the story they need to teach both sides. I live in Louisiana and you will not get my support. Sorry. But I too need to stand up for what I believe in and I believe the opposite of what you believe but u have the right to believe what you want but so do I so good luck. Have a nice day.
Ryan,
The thing is, there is no “two sides” in this argument… What you are bying into is a manufactroversy. There is no actual scientific controversy! The only controversy is that which has been manufactured by creationists and intelligent design proponents. Sure, there may be specific elements where one scientist may disagree with another scientist, but those are specific mechanisms and particulars of the theory, not the entire theory itself. By this same logic, one should teach the “stork” theory of human reproduction.
You know what comes next? Ryan makes a statement illustrating that either he doesn’t know the difference between a theory in science and an hypothesis OR he demonstrates he doesn’t have a grasp on what evolution actually is by confusing it with ideas concerning the origin of life (or the universe) itself.
Two pieces of advice, Keep calm and fight on. That is all.
Good luck Zack! I know reddit.com/r/atheism stands behind you in this endeavor!
Wish I could help!
Hey now, I believe in creationism: Man created God.
Good luck on your appeal! Science should be taught on fact based theory, not on false pretense.
Have at them, Zack!
Zach, I live in Lafayette.
Let me know what I can do to help.
As a student at Central High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana I applaud your efforts. We need to stop teaching fairy tales and start teaching unbiased science based on facts not a bronze age religious doctrine that is no longer even relevant.
Hey man, Just wanted to say great work, from CA, USA. The more work we do to bolster evolution, the more and more the younger generations will accept evolution. Your efforts are indeed noble, and know that people around the world are proud of what you are doing.
I have much respect for you Zack. I live in New Orleans now, but I grew up in Central Louisiana so I know all too well about being persecuted and hated by the “religious” for believing in the constitution and what is logical. I will do anything I can to help you stop this bill dead in its tracks. It is situations such as this that make me weep for humanity and wish for people to open their eyes to logic and reason. I’ll get the word out the best that I can. Is there anything else I could do to help?
The shame Brian, is that decisions about how our children are educated, are being made by people who choose to believe in the stories told by primitive shepherds as they sat round camp fires, hundreds of years ago, rather than the evidence gleaned from the discoveries of the most intelligent minds on the planet with some of the best technology at their disposal.
The religionists have held mankind back for centuries by persecuting, silencing and even killing some of mankind’s finest brains for the crime of daring to question either the omnipotent god they believe gave us our brains in the first place, or the charlatans who invented gods for their own nefarious desires to rule and profit from a subservient following.
Keep up the good work Zack. You have more support than the religionists would want to believe.
Well done Zack! I for one am very happy to see someone adhere to reality.
As always, I like to pimp my little Facts, not Fantasy web page. In particular these two:
Introduction Page
Creationists, Read This!
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Hey Zack,
I teach in Louisiana and didn’t even know this law existed! I bring in outside materials all the time, but its to illuminate the evolution is a fact, not a fallacy!
Keep up the good work, its kids like you that restore my faith and make me think I might reach a few…
Thanks, Kristin
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I am with you Zack! Creationism cannot be taught as an alternative. Even though it is not an issue here in Europe, I do understand and support your point. It is absolutely fine if people believe in stories of different kinds. However, once a myth is being presented as a fact, one must stand for the future! May reason prevail!
I am with you Zack! Science and Religion should not be mixed.
- A supporter from India.
Good luck, Zack! Remember that reality is that which does not go away if you don’t believe it.
Dang, I’m impressed with this kid. Oh but were I that achieving at that age.
Keep up the fight, Zack. What you’re doing is one of the most critical battles we can fight to maintain a place for America in the hard sciences.
Best wishes Zack! We’re behind you!
Awesome work dude! Keep it up.
That is all.
Way to go, Zack!
It is heartening and inspiring to see people like you standing up for science and taking it on with such grace and levelheadedness (as evidenced by your responses to the minority of naysayers above).
Keep up the great work!
Zack,
Well done and thank you for your efforts on behalf of education and science.
Will Fraser
Oil and Gas Geoscientist
Dallas Texas
Zack, you are a hero. I teach high school biology and astrobiology in California, and you are a wonderful role model for science literacy personified. You are the kind of student who gives me hope for the future. Keep up the good work!!
Only gullible brainwashed uneducated fundy fools believe in cretiNUTism
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