To promote teaching science through inquiry, the author wanted to use his experience in the Galápagos to design a lesson that allows students to immerse themselves in the essential science and engineering practices identified in the "Next Generation Science Standards," as they ask questions; analyze and interpret data; engage in argument…

Although the level of controversy varies from one community to the next, biology teachers across the United States struggle to teach evolution. Some face pressure to teach both religious and scientific theories of human origins; others did not have adequate coursework on evolution during teacher preparation. As a result, many biology teachers are…

Plants and insects share a long evolutionary history characterized by relationships that affect individual, population, and community dynamics. Plant-herbivore interactions are a prominent feature of this evolutionary history; it is by plant-herbivore interactions that energy is transferred from primary producers to the rest of the food web. Not…

The limits of falsification are discussed and the historically based models of science described by Lakatos and Kuhn are shown to offer greater insights into the practice of science. The theory of natural selection is used to relate biology to philosophy and scientific method. (Author/JN)

Describes a teaching method in which students learn about evolutionary biology through the use of mathematics. Uses the concept of biostatistics, the mathematical analysis of the variation in nature, to understand evolution. (SAH)

Discusses four fundamental issues of the "creation-science" and evolution debate: the prevalence of creation myths, an assumed scientific world view, public schools as moral supremacy battlegrounds, and the general population's scientific and religious illiteracy. Calls for free inquiry into the nature of the world's religious traditions and…

Outlines a laboratory activity which takes place at the zoo and helps make some of the important aspects of evolution more concrete. Includes the principles of adaptation, variation within a species, types of evolution, and predicting future evolutionary trends. Provides a student worksheet. (RT)

Describes two activities that use jelly beans to teach the three fundamental modes of natural selection, the theory of competitive exclusion, and how competition structures communities. (ASK)

Focuses on the sigmoid growth curve as a biological principle that can be applied to the study of human behavior. (CS)

Demonstrates the magnitude of an extinction event by using a simulation to illustrate the massive nature of the loss of a family and the number of species that perish to achieve that result. (RT)

Presents a series of simple and inexpensive hands-on activities with a host of extension lesson ideas that can be used to actively introduce students to the scientific theory of evolution. Lessons are designed to thwart common student difficulties. Classes are structured around a predator-prey simulation game that creates a springboard for…

Reports on techniques used by creationists to argue against evolution. They include intensifying or downplaying messages, omitting information, associating creationists beliefs with other beliefs, quoting out of context, and others. Also suggests that learning to read critically will help students evaluate creationists' rhetoric. (DH)

Creationists claim that human footprints coexist with those of dinosaurs in Cretaceous limestone exposed in the Paluxy riverbed near Glen Rose, Texas. Analysis of photos shows that the features in question are not human footprints and that creationist documentation/analysis of the prints is riddled with omissions, misrepresentations,…

Examines sociopolitical conditions that allowed pro-creationist and anti-evolutionist movements to thrive in Georgia and other southern States. Describes efforts by leading citizens to influence legislation toward propagation of the creationist philosophy, especially in education. Stresses the need for scientists and educators to oppose…

Contends that the natural science curriculum does not prepare biology students for understanding the process of evolution. Proposes improved teaching approaches related to geological time, the natural transition of earth environments, the variability and alteration of genetic makeup, and the biological potential of species as being necessary for…