The aim of this article is to understand how Montessori education, according to Maria Montessori, will enable 6--12-year-olds to meet future challenges and to care for and contribute to the wellbeing of society and the planet as a whole. This article reports on a qualitative content analysis of four books written by Maria Montessori. The analysis…

This essay is an interpretation of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species". It focuses on the contents of the "Origin" as Darwin intended them to be understood and the background to the work, thus revealing the originality (or otherwise) of the work.

Science teachers and mentors continue to be challenged to meet the high expectations of "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" and the "Next Generation Science Standards." Indeed the Framework urges teachers to help learners "[build] progressively more sophisticated explanations of natural phenomena..." while the…

This study explores learning about evolution when information is presented in either a narrative or an expository text (ET). Narratives engage the imagination, and consequently may allow children to overcome conceptual constraints that make evolution difficult to comprehend. Participants were 16 Year One, 21 Year Two and 25 Year Three pupils from…

Research Findings: Prior research indicates that shared book reading is an effective method for teaching biological concepts to young children. Adult questioning during reading enhances children's comprehension. We investigated whether adult prompting during the reading of an electronic book enhanced children's understanding of a biological…

Two of the most influential works of the Western nineteenth century were completed in 1859: Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species" and Richard Wagner's opera "Tristan and Isolde." Although created within very different cultural traditions, these works show some striking similarities: both brought about a critical, long-lasting debate and caused…

Joseph McCabe (1867-1955) was one of the most prolific and gifted polymaths of the twentieth century. Long before such a thing was thought respectable, and almost a century before any university established a chair in the public understanding of science, McCabe made a living as a populariser of science and a critic of philosophical and religious…

In tight economic times, the concerns and issues of science, viewed as not having enough practical value, can get pushed aside. But the top science books of 2008 demonstrate how science more often than not pays for itself. What's more practical than food (Tomorrow's Table), health (Our Daily Meds), the environment (The Hot Topics), or even--sex…

This personal reflection describes events at the Appalachian State University that celebrated the Darwin Bicentennial throughout the 2008-2009 academic year. Prominent speakers and writers joined with a film series, theatre productions, and art exhibits to focus on Darwin and his scientific discoveries. The Darwin Bicentennial provided the members…

In this article, the author discusses the tensions between science and religion. According to recent books--many of them by prominent biologists--the era of deference to religious belief--belief without evidence--is ending as faith is subjected to gimlet-eyed scrutiny. Like Mark Twain's celebrated comment about stopping smoking, scholars have…

Presents a list of books published on the trial of John T Scopes which was held 75 years ago based on the accusation of Scopes violated state's anti-evolutionist law. (YDS)

Discussion of (1) the scientific and theological attitudes prevalent when "On the Origin of Species was published and (2) the rhetorical approaches and devices Darwin borrowed from the works of predecessors. (RD)

Discusses the authors thoughts after reading Darwin's "The Origin of Species" and Huxley's "Darwiniana"--a collection of writings on evolution and Darwin. Also discusses theories of evolution. (PR)

Discusses scientific creationism and the issues it poses for teachers and librarians. Briefly reviews early selection and editorial practices regarding human genetic evolution followed in the first six editions of the "Children's Catalog." (SR)

Provided in this document are reviews of 31 creationist publications. The reviews, written by Iowa teachers and scientists, were conceived in 1982 during a drive by Iowa creationists to install their books and other materials in the schools of 60 Iowa communities. Introductory comments on the format of the reviews and several generalizations are…