Saint Paul Selected to Host Smithsonian Exhibit
Saint Paul School of Theology has been selected to host the traveling exhibit Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? through a national competition offered by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and the American Library Association (ALA).
“Saint Paul is very excited to be one of just six theological seminaries in the country to be selected to host this unique and fascinating exhibit,” said Seminary Exhibit Coordinator Dr. Nancy Howell. “No one will want to miss seeing the seminary transformed into a science museum, and we have an impressive line-up of programs planned, with offerings for children and adults. We hope everyone will join us in a conversation about what it means to be human.”
In addition, scientists and other experts from the NMNH Human Origins Program will visit the seminary’s Kansas Campus in Leawood, Kansas, to host events for the community, including a clergy program, educator workshop, community conversation, and more. Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, and videos, Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? invites viewers of all ages to learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human and encourages a public conversation that opens multiple perspectives on what it means to be human — one that embraces the ideas and beliefs of non-scientists and fosters a greater appreciation of the complexity of the science of human evolution.
Seminarians, alums, clergy, schools, churches, and the community are encouraged to visit and engage in conversations that matter scientifically and theologically. This exhibit is free and open to the public for viewing February – May 2025.
Later this fall, additional details will be announced regarding visiting hours and registration for special event programs. To have news and updates delivered to your inbox, we invite you to subscribe to Saint Paul emails at https://app.donorview.com/Pq5ln.
Are you interested in volunteering as an exhibit docent? If so, please contact Dr. Nancy Howell () for more information.
Audit a Course with Dr. Nancy Howell
We invite you to take a deeper dive into the question "What does it mean to be human?" by auditing Saint Paul School of Theology's spring 2025 course, "Science, Theology, and Ministry" taught by Dr. Nancy Howell, Professor of Theology and Philosophy of Religion and Oubri A. Poppele Professor of Health and Welfare Ministries. Running from January to May, this unique class includes access to the Smithsonian’s thought-provoking exhibit and its special programs. Saint Paul alums can enjoy a discount on the audit fee, with options to participate either in person or via Zoom. For more information or to start the application process, please contact Admissions Director Shannon Hancock at or 913-253-5084.
THL 423 Science, Theology, and Ministry
This course provides a special opportunity to equip ministers with the information needed to be religious in a scientific age and to be ministers to persons struggling with science issues. Such issues are increasingly at the heart of what it means to be human and to conduct one’s life with integrity. The course addresses the mutual relevance of pastoral concerns, science, and Christianity. Part of the course explores how Christianity has influenced the development of science, how science has impacted the content of theology, how Christianity and science are set in a cultural context, and how Christianity can engage in interreligious dialogue about science.
Exhibit Hours
Coming Soon...
If you would like to bring in a group to tour the exhibit, please contact Dr. Nancy Howell () to schedule your visit.
Location: 13720 Roe Ave., Bldg. C, Leawood, KS 66224
Parking is available outside of Bldg. C.
Need hotel accommodations? Many area hotels offer guests of Saint Paul a discounted rate. Visit our Accommodations page for details.
Exhibit Programs & Events
February 27, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Oklahoma Campus or Online
Join Oklahoma City University faculty, Dr. Lisa Wolfe, Dr. Stephen Prilliman, Dr. Yi Shao, and Dr. Amy Osatinski, for a panel discussion on the relevance and importance of human origins and evolution.
March 24, 2025
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Kansas Campus or Online
We invite religious leaders to participate in a conversation led by Dr. Jim Miller. The workshop facilitates a conversation about human origins and how clergy can address the topic in their diverse ministries.
March 24, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Kansas Campus or Online
We invite religious leaders to participate in a conversation led by Briana Pobiner. The workshop equips religious educators to enter the public conversation or introduce the story of human origins in their ministry settings.
March 25, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
On Campus or Online
Join us on campus or online for our weekly chapel service featuring guest speaker Dr. Rick Potts where he will speak to the ways his scientific work has meaning in his Christian life.
March 25, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Kansas Campus or Online
Open to the public, Dr. Rick Potts will give a lecture about the latest research in human evolution and offer examples where public audiences find meaning in the science of human origins.
March 26, 2025
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Kansas Campus or Online
The workshop is based on teaching modules designed by the Smithsonian in classroom settings with teachers as collaborators. The tools provided can be of assistance with effective teaching that is non-threatening.
March 27, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Kansas Campus or Online
Explore answers to the question "What does it mean to be human?" and consider how answers to this question might intersect with a scientific understanding of human origins.
Human Origins Experts
Dr. Rick Potts
Dr. Rick Potts is a paleoanthropologist who directs the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Rick has dedicated his research to piecing together the record of Earth’s environmental change and human adaptation.
Lee Meadows, Ph.D
Lee Meadows, Ph.D., is a science educator who guides teachers to see ways to teach evolution by both staying true to science and honoring students’ faith-based questions and concerns; an approach rooted in an inquiry-based approach to teaching evolution.
Briana Pobiner
Briana Pobiner is a paleoanthropologist whose zooarchaeological and taphonomic research centers on the evolution of human diet (with a focus on meat-eating), but has included topics as diverse as human cannibalism and chimpanzee carnivory. Briana leads the Human Origins Program’s education and outreach efforts.
Dr. Jim Miller
Dr. Jim Miller is an honorably retired ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and co-chair of the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program's Broader Social Impacts Committee. He has led discussions about human origins that explore the relationship between scientific and religious perspectives, and how the two can be compatible.
Credit: Smithsonian's Human Origins Program
Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program.
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