Evolutionary theory is fundamental to biology, yet evolution instruction in high schools has often been unsatisfactory. How or whether high school biology teachers teach evolution is influenced by their own acceptance or rejection of evolutionary theory, parents' and community members' views, and in the case of some private schools, their…

These student-led, co-curricular programs are designed to give honors students the opportunity to learn and practice civil discourse through difficult conversations. Issues such as race, religion, politics, gender, and sexual orientation are carefully curated to help students practice and hone their dialogue skills outside the classroom where…

This quasi-experimental, pre-post study with non-equivalent comparison groups explores the potential for resequencing of course content to affect positive change in an undergraduate, introductory statistics course at a mid-sized, flagship university that is located in a southern state. Quantitative analyses suggest that the implementation of…

Integrating climate change into environmental education programs and formal science classrooms can be difficult, as the issue remains controversial and highly politicized among the American public. This study proposes that the same cultural values that shape worldview differences and divide public opinion on anthropogenic climate change will…

As with most states, Arkansas is experiencing substantial growth in the delivery of academic programs and courses by distance learning provided by institutions of higher education. At Arkansas State University faculty have adhered to the need of students and developed a completely online certification and master's program in Educational…

Mindfulness meditation is increasingly recognized as a health promotion practice across many different kinds of settings. Concomitantly, contemplative education is being integrated into colleges and universities in order to enhance learning through reflection and personal insight. The confluence of these trends provides an opportunity to develop…

Summarizes the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU's) contention that Arkansas Act 590 (equal time to teaching creationism) is unconstitutional and highlights comments of various witnesses testifying during the trial. (SK)

Presents the full text of Arkansas Act 590 (1981) requiring balanced treatment of creationism and evolution in public schools of this state. Includes, among others, requirements for balanced treatment, prohibition against religious instruction, requirements for nondiscrimination, definitions of "creation-science" and…

Reviews the major points of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenge to the Arkansas bill "Unbiased Presentation of Creation Science and Evolution Science Bill." (SK)

Discusses various legal and scientific issues related to the McLean v. Arkansas 590 (balanced treatment of creationism/evolution), including nature of "creation-science," responses from scientists and lawyers, focus of the plaintiff's case (anticreationism), nature of science, and one example illustrating creationist tendency to use…

Updates information pertaining to the ongoing court case in Arkansas in which the American Civil Liberties Union contends that the "Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act" is unconstitutional. Summarizes issues from both sides. (DC)

Describes a one-year course to develop students' research skills at the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Science. The course offers a combination of rigorous content (optics and optical instrumentation), interdisciplinary curriculum, and hands-on experiences in meaningful, nontraditional learning in real-life research settings. (Author/DB)

Presents edited versions of plaintiff and defendant outlines of legal issues and proof (views of cases set to limit issues argued during trials) and trial briefs (comprehensive presentations of legal precedents and arguments) in McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education case focusing on balanced treatment of creationism/evolution in public schools.…