Taking into account the historic transitions and progressions in agricultural science, this article examines the emergence of the phenomenon of agricultural biotechnology. It identifies pivotal sites of tension between agricultural biotechnology and alternative approaches to agriculture. The article identifies two distinct sources of contemporary…

This paper is linked to the theme History and Philosophy of Science. The Evolution and creation science controversy is now in the general public's arena and poses a challenge for school science. The paper begins by briefly describing the current situation concerning this issue in Australia and the United States of America. In the subject Biology,…

Discusses challenges faced in the teaching and learning of evolution. Presents a curricular program and a case study on evolutionary biology. Investigates students' conceptual knowledge after exposure to the program "From Dinosaurs to Darwin," which focuses on fossil records as evidence of evolution. (Contains 32 references.) (YDS)

This paper focuses on a learning strategy designed to overcome students' difficulty in understanding evolutionary change within the framework of geological time. Incorporated into the learning program "From Dinosaurs to Darwin: Evolution from the Perspective of Time," this strategy consists of four scaffolded investigations in which…

The struggle for academic freedom in nineteenth century Ontario was closely bound to the acceptance of evolutionary theory. A history is given of the impact of Darwin's theories on the evolution of academic freedom in Canadian universities. (CJB)

Whether poor knowledge of evolution among Singapore students might be linked to low levels of content knowledge about evolution among junior high school and senior high school teachers was studied. A teacher questionnaire on biological evolution was developed. Twelve teachers from Singapore junior college (JC) schools and 42 from the lower…

Contrasts data gathered regarding how textbooks deal with natural selection and teacher's ability to explore pupils' ideas related to it with an approach seeking to develop the pupils' capacity to explain biological change using the model of natural selection. Results show the approach is often characterized by superficial handling of key ideas…

Brings religion and natural science into a new whole, as the basis of religious trust and faith. Characterizes religion as mediating between nature and the individual, and provides examples from the major religious traditions. Explains the challenge of knowing the universe by linking the inner self with the natural world. (Author/SD)

Describes a new hypothesis regarding the origin of bulungamayine kangaroos. Suggests that this group of Oglio-Miocene kangaroos independently evolved adaptations for herbivory and are likely to be ancestral to modern and recently extinct plant-eating kangaroos. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/WRM)

Recent events in the United States have brought anti-evolution efforts into the forefront of the media's coverage of science education, and it makes press in Canadian outlets as well. Canadians can be regularly heard scoffing at American debacles such as the controversy regarding the denigration of evolution in Kansas's science standards, the…

This article describes how new communication technologies and channels of communication are impacting historically basic channels of communication. This impact is described as being an incremental and evolutionary process rather than a blunt transition. A main theme stressed is that historically basic channels of communication, strongly grounded…

The background to Charles Darwin's little-known visit to Australia, and the account of his experiences while here, provide some invaluable historical material for teaching evolution, geology, meteorology, and the determination of longitude. Indeed, by using his Australian experiences as a foundation, it is possible to explain the theory of…

Sociobiology suggests that our basic pyschological makeup is genetically determined and has evolved by means of natural selection. Biologically based human predispositions often conflict with legal and moral requirements of modern life. Sociobiology provides support for the direct teaching of moral values and social skills. (Author)

Explores how biology majors accommodate the theory of biological evolution with religious beliefs. Responses clustered under for evolution, against evolution, compromise, and neutral. Suggests that teaching about the nature of scientific facts and theories can enhance understanding of evolutionary theory if students can discuss their values and…

Interprets Edward Spranger's "Forms of Life" against the background of the findings of modern biology. Shows how far Spranger's diagnosis of different human types, which are not affected by external influences on characteristics, conform with research hypotheses of modern biological sciences. (CAJ)