Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science

Working Group on Teaching Evolution, National Academy of Sciences9780309063647, 0-309-06364-7

Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science provides a well-structured framework for understanding and teaching evolution. Written for teachers, parents, and community officials as well as for scientists and educators, this book illustrates how evolution explains both the great diversity and the underlying similarity of the earth’s organisms; it explores how scientists approach the question of evolution; and it describes the nature of science as a way of knowing about the natural world. In addition, the book provides answers to frequently asked questions to help readers understand many of the issues and misconceptions about evolution.

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Table of contents :
Contents……Page 7
Preface……Page 8
1 Why Teach Evolution?……Page 11
Dialogue–the Challenge to Teachers……Page 17
2 Major Themes in Evolution……Page 21
Dialogue–Teaching About the Nature of Science……Page 32
3 Evolution and the Nature of Science……Page 37
Dialogue–Teaching Evolution Through Inquiry……Page 54
4 Evolution and the National Science Education Standards……Page 57
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Evolution and the Nature of Science……Page 65
6 Activities for Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science……Page 71
Activity 1 Introducing Inquiry and the Nature of Science……Page 76
Activity 2 the Formulation of Explanations: an Invitation to Inquiry on Natural Selection……Page 84
Activity 3 Investigating Natural Selection……Page 88
Activity 4 Investigating Common Descent: Formulating Explanations and Models……Page 91
Activity 5 Proposing Explanations for Fossil Footprints……Page 97
Activity 6 Understanding Earth’s Changes Over Time……Page 100
Activity 7 Proposing the Theory of Biological Evolution: Historical Perspective……Page 103
Activity 8 Connecting Population Growth and Biological Evolution……Page 110
7 Selecting Instructional Materials……Page 115
Appendix A Six Significant Court Decisions Regarding Evolution and Creationism Issues……Page 131
Appendix B Excerpt from “Religion in the Public Schools: A Joint Statement of Current Law”……Page 133
Appendix C Three Statements in Support of Teaching Evolution from Science and Science Education Organizations……Page 134
Appendix D References for Further Reading and Other Resources……Page 140
Appendix E Reviewers……Page 143
Index……Page 145
Credits……Page 149