Evolution, due to its importance in science, holds a prominent place in national science standards and many state standards. Scientists nearly universally agree that the theory of evolution best explains the unity and diversity of life. Accordingly, numerous science, science education, and religious organizations support the teaching of evolution…

I start by considering some of the similarities between journalists and science teachers in their work and then go on to examine three questions that are of importance in dealing with creationism in schools: Is the issue one that is worth dealing with? How might one deal with it? What does one hope to achieve by dealing with it? I conclude that…

Teachers of biology and related subjects are increasingly meeting objections from students and their parents to the teaching of evolution and the exclusion of what is called the theory of Intelligent Design. This paper attempts to draw together arguments and evidence which may be used by such teachers. Four lessons are drawn from the 1982…

A religious perspective on life shapes how and what those with such a perspective learn in science; for some students a religious perspective can hinder learning in science. For such reasons Staver's article is to be welcomed as it proposes a new way of resolving the widely perceived discord between science and religion. Staver notes that Western…

To assess current trends of evolution instruction in high schools of the mid-South, we invited Arkansas high school biology teachers from across the state to respond to a survey designed to address this issue. We also asked students enrolled in a freshman-level, nonmajors biology course at a midsize public Arkansas university to recall their…

In this paper I describe an in-class discussion activity aimed at helping elementary education majors in a physical science course think about issues surrounding the inclusion of "Intelligent Design" in public school science standards. I discuss the background instruction given, the content of the activity, and some results from its use in class.

Mainstream scientists often claim that australopithecines such as the specimen nicknamed "Lucy" exhibit anatomy intermediate between that of apes and that of humans and use this as evidence that humans evolved from australopithecines, which evolved from apes. On the other hand, creationists reject evolution and claim that australopithecines are…

How is epistemology related to the issue of teaching science and evolution in the schools? Addressing a flashpoint issue in our schools today, this book explores core epistemological differences between proponents of intelligent design and evolutionary scientists, as well as the critical role of epistemological beliefs in learning science.…

Examined is the extent to which teachers actually hold pseudoscientific beliefs. Described are the study design, sources of pseudoscientific belief, and correlates with various types of pseudoscientific beliefs. Results indicate that many high school biology and life science teachers endorse these beliefs. Implications of this study are discussed.…

The gradual decline of anthropocentrism from 50,000 BC to the present is traced in relation to the controversy over the teaching of evolution and creationism. The discussion focuses on the battle over people's minds as waged in the public schools by fundamentalist religious groups and others. (CW)

Discussed are positions on the topic of creationism. The dichotomy between science and religion is analyzed. Middle positions are highlighted and the fundamental issues clarified. Examples that illustrate historical changes in scientific thought are included. (KR)

Urges biology teachers to discuss creationism in classrooms, pointing out why it is not science. Indicates that such action would be farsighted recognition of and response to a genuine educational need in society. Topics addressed include scope of science education, the creation movement, censorship, and suggestions for implementing creationism in…

Reports on techniques used by creationists to argue against evolution. They include intensifying or downplaying messages, omitting information, associating creationists beliefs with other beliefs, quoting out of context, and others. Also suggests that learning to read critically will help students evaluate creationists' rhetoric. (DH)

Offers suggestions to secondary teachers faced with teaching the concepts of evolution to a group of skeptical students. Presents a variety of comments from groups that support the integration of evolution into the science curriculum and opposing the adoption of creationism as a part of the science curriculum. (ZWH)

Based on the premise that knowledge of evolutionary theory is essential for understanding the natural world, this document was designed to assist science teachers and others as they consider the issues that influence the teaching of evolution. The position is taken that there is no conflict between data and sound theories based on science and…