Presents a unit on evolution and creation theories in which students explore the legal issues surrounding the teaching of evolution and creation in biology. Students write preliminary essays, study conflict resolution techniques, and conduct a moot trial of the Scopes case of 1925. A course outline is provided. (MDH)

Identifies both epistemic and political shortcomings in the portrayal of science found in curricular multicultural science education. This approach denies the unique characteristics of Western science as it ignores the particular strengths of other systems of thought and has the unexpected political effect of reaffirming scientism. Discusses a…

Assesses students' learning of evolution by natural selection within four different sections of an introductory biology course where each section used a different combination of curricular materials and instruction. Reports that comparisons between sections support the use of paired problem-solving instructional strategy in conjunction with the…

This paper, presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of Biology Teachers, is focused on legal and judicial problems in mandating equal time for creationism. Past events provide evidence that legislation, policies, and local resolutions that require science textbooks and curricula to include the Genesis account of creation are…

Discusses topics to aid in understanding animal behavior, including the value of the biological approach to psychology, functional systems, optimality and fitness, universality of environmental effects on behavior, and evolution of social behavior. (DS)

This essay by a Harvard evolutionist presents viewpoints concerning the creationists' arguments against evolutionary biology. Semantics regarding "facts" and "theory" of evolution are examined, examples are cited of creationist argument, and arguments for evolution are presented. (CS)

Discussed is the question: "If science curricula reflect actions of pressure groups to include or delete certain content, is science a part of a basic, liberal education?" (PB)

Presents information about and ideas for teaching an evolutionary view of ethics. Argues that when behavioral and moral aspects of human evolution are presented in biology courses in lieu of anatomical and physiological aspects, students may become more accepting of evolutionary theory. Contains 16 references. (WRM)

Describes challenges to teaching evolution initiated by religious fundamentalist groups in the United States. Finds that the number of after-the-fact challenges to public school material, curricula, and instructional activities objected to because they included evolution or failed to include creation science from 1983-1996 is relatively small.…

Presents a brief legal history of the evolution/creationism controversy as a means of highlighting the issues involved in the controversy. Argues that understanding this legal history has many benefits to student understanding. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

This science framework is about connections. Each section draws on and contributes to those that precede and follow it. The framework opens with a discussion of the nature of science and the need for science educators to model the attributes of scientific investigation including objectivity, testability, and consistency. The framework also calls…

Three papers are provided to assist local school districts and legislators in developing their positions when addressing creation/evolution controversies in Iowa schools. "Creation, Evolution and Public Education: The Position of the Iowa Department of Public Instruction (DPI)" presents the consensus of opinions of national and Iowa…

The author discusses the activities and goals of advocates of creation science as these persons and groups work to bring about the teaching of creationism in high school science courses in which evolution is taught. It is the author's belief that the anti-evolutionism movement was stimulated by the science curriculum improvement activities of the…

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…

Examines proposition that creationism is legitimate science, including philosophical basis of that claim and methods used to discredit contemporary scientific thought. Discusses creationist's arguments against scientific findings related to second law of thermodynamics, improbability of evolution, earth's age, geological record, fossil transitions…