…. Have you ever had this happen: You are minding your own business, teaching your life science course, it’s early in the term. A student, on the way out of the room after class (never at the beginning of class, rarely during class) mentions something about “carbon dating.” This usually happens around the time of year you are doing an overview of the main points of the course, but before you’ve gotten to the “evolution module”…
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Tag Archives: Science Education
Creationism and Evolution in the Classroom
A little over a year ago, there was a meeting of the Minnesota Atheists that included a one hour panel discussion of evolution, creationism, science education, and so on. The panel was moderated by Lynn Fellman, and included (in order from right to left as the audience gazed on) Randy Moore, Sehoya Cotner, Jane Phillips, Greg Laden, and PZ Myers. I thought it would be interesting to repost a description of that event for Back to School Month.
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What is life? New Biology Textbook
My old friend, colleague, suaboya, and educator extraordinaire, Jay Phelan has written what many believe will be the next Campbell. The name of the book is What Is Life?
How can science teachers use blogs?
Blogs and schools often don’t mix. Many blogs are free ranging entities untethered to an institutional or editorial framework. In public discussions of Scienceblogs.com, the fact that every blogger is editorially independent of each other and of the hosting organization, Seed Media Group, is mentioned without fail, and is often the central topic. Non-Sblings (we scienceblogs.com bloggers call ourselves Sblings) readily accuse us of being under the influence of each other or this or that evil empire, and we just as readily deny it. And it’s true … we are beholden to no one.
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Is Blood Ever Blue? Science Teachers Want to Know!
This post has been moved HERE.
The Great Debate, Part I: Miller & Pennock vs. Dembski & Behe
The Devil in Dover
When I go to meet the teachers or administrators at my daughter’s school, I whisper these words to each of them:
“I just want you to know that I’m involved in a number of organizations that seek to protect the quality of science education in our public schools. If you ever need any support, if you are ever getting any trouble from parents, administrators, whatever, you can rely on me to help, to put you in touch with whom you should speak, to talk to anyone you’d like me to talk to, or anything else you need.”
This recieves a nod and a side long glance that I try very hard to interpret but rarely can. Then, regardless, I follow up by whispering these words:
“Oh, and if you happen to be of the mind to push a little religion, creationism, whatever, into the classroom …. the I’ll be your worst nightmare. I’ll be the one on the other end of that career ending law suit.”
At this point, the science-supporters usually laugh heartily. The creationists also laugh. But nervously.
You may or may not have a child in school that gives you this wonderful opportunity to embarrass your son or daughter, but you can still call the principal or any of the members of the school board and let them know how you feel, as a citizen, taxpayer, and voter. And, if you like, you can do what I do periodically: Give your school principle or science teacher a gift. Today, I’m recommending a copy of a book that outlines the nightmares of being in a school system that becomes a battle ground for science education vs. creationism.
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Should creationism be taught in (Florida) schools?
No. But unfortunately, of the 12 candidates running for school board in one Florida County, only three, Rick Nesbit, Gunnar Paulson and Carol Oyenarte, said “No” when recently asked the question.
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Florida Man with No Background in Science Determines that Creationism is a Valid Theory for How Life Got There and What it Is
Ray M. Davis, Jr., of Alachua also admits that his religious beliefs tell him that creationism is true, but despite this admission he still feels that his local school board should ruin science education for all the children in his local public school by ramming their non scientific beliefs down the throats of the students in science class. Oh, and he must also think his school district has a grove of money trees, because the legal defense when they do follow such nonsensical advice and get snagged … and yes, we are watching … will be substantial.
Read this remarkable story from the Gainesville Sun here. You might also want to write your own letter to the editor at the Sun, and while you’re at it, you might want to suggest that from a journalistic point of view, publishing letters like this one from Mr. Davis is roughly like publishing letters that suggest that Bigfoot be covered in the local high school’s Zoology Class and that the Geography Class must include the Flat Earth theory, and the physical science class should cover Alchemy. (Roughly. Not exactly. Analogies are not exact, else they would not be analogies.) Mr. Davis is certainly entitled to his uniformed opinion, but the primary institutions of our nation, like schools, newspapers, etc. have a responsibility to be more selective than the Gainesville Sun appears to be.
Half of Americans think evolution did not happen
Therefore, we should teach that as fact in schools, right?
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Getting evolution right: Tips for writers
Bringing Science to Kids with Song
Money Harper is a musician who has put to song several actual research projects of University of Oklahoma scientists. He’s raising money to finish the project. Maybe you can help him out. Either way, it is an interesting story, and I’m sure you are going to want a copy of the CD.
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Uncommon Knowledge: Genie Scott vs. Dembski
An episode from KTEH’s Uncommon Knowledge series: “Darwin under the Microscope: Questioning Darwinism”. Dr. Genie Scott goes toe to toe with creationist Dr. William Dembski. Air date: 12/7/2001
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A good example of appeasement
… can be found here, in this talk by William Phillips speaking at the AAAS:
Teabagger Ron Micheli and the Wyoming Governor’s Race
Wyoming, which is a pretty stupid state sometimes, although you don’t hear about it too often because almost no one lives there, has a candidate for governor who
- … wants teachers to be required to teach creationism. “I think it is as valuable a theory as any other theory.”
- … is opposed to abortion even in the context of rape.
- … in what the Casper Star-Tribune called “A momumental display of bad judgement” he advocated for leniency for his friend Ty in a rape case. Ry is now serving 60 years in the pen for raping a Casper woman in her home.
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