teaching evolution: a special presentation for just gotta evolve workshop february 12, 2010 kimberly...
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Teaching Evolution:
A special presentation for Just gotta evolve
Workshop
February 12, 2010Kimberly Bilica, UTSA
Presentation Overview
• Welcome!– Critical Need for Evolution Education
• What should we teach about evolution? – Revised 2009 TEKS (Fall 2010 implementation)
• How should we teach evolution when there’s so much controversy?– Teaching about the Nature of Science
Critical Need for Evolution Education
Controversy
Evolution is likely the most publicly contentious topic to be taught in science classrooms across the nation.
Cracraft, 2004
www.bendib.com/ newones/2003/
Misconceptions about evolution abound!
Evolution is part of our state curriculum standards!
§112.43. Biology. (until Fall 2010)(7) Science concepts. The student knows the theory of
biological evolution. The student is expected to: (A) identify evidence of change in species using fossils, DNA sequences, anatomical similarities,
physiological similarities, and embryology; and (B) illustrate the results of natural selection in
speciation, diversity, phylogeny, adaptation, behavior, and extinction.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112c.htmlaccessed Jan 14, 2008
…and will become an even larger part of our state curriculum
standards!
The politics associated with evolution are active!
With new TEKS and textbook adoption, creationist organizations will be targeting Texas teachers.
Imitating Science
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/06/new_textbook_seeks_to_improve.html
Discovery Institute&IntelligentDesign
What is Intelligent Design (ID)?
a philosophy (not theory) which proposes:
“…that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection.”(source: http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/ )
First Amendment & Establishment Clause
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; …”
Legal Aspects
Religion and Public Schools
• According to constitutional law,– Public schools, including personnel,
shall remain ‘neutral’ about religion.– Students have the right to private
speech, including religious expression.
Presentation Overview
• Welcome!Welcome!– Critical Need for Evolution EducationCritical Need for Evolution Education
• What should we teach about evolution? – Revised 2009 TEKS (Fall 2010 implementation)
• How should we teach evolution when there’s so much controversy?– Teaching the Nature of Science
What should we teach about evolution?
Revised 2009 TEKS (Fall 2010 implementation)
2010 Elementary Science TEKS:
Stepping Up Into Evolution• K-5
• TEKS #10Organisms and Environments
• InvestigationsK-1: 80% of instructional time2-3: 60% of instructional time4-5: 50% of instructional time
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
2010 Middle Level Science TEKS:
Stepping Up Into Evolution
• 6, 7, 8
• Investigations40% of instructional time
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
High School Biology
• Expanding the focus upon Evolution
Biology
TEKS Introduction as Conceptual Frame
Nature of
Science
Self Reflection: Nature of Science Vocabulary
HypothesisFactTheoryLawObservation
Draw a flow chart map that shows the relationship between these concepts.
For example:
X Y Z
W. McComas, The Myths of Science http://coehp.uark.edu/pase/TheMythsOfScience.pdf
Grade 4, introduction
Grade 7, introduction
Biology, introduction
Presentation Overview
• Welcome!Welcome!– Critical Need for Evolution EducationCritical Need for Evolution Education
• What should we teach about What should we teach about evolution? evolution? – TEKS-TAKS Instructional Alignment StudyTEKS-TAKS Instructional Alignment Study
• How should we teach evolution when there’s so much controversy?– Teaching the Nature of Science
How should we teach evolution when there’s so much
controversy?Teaching the Nature of
Science
Teaching the Nature of Science
Lessons on Evolution & NOS
ENSI/SENSI http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/ – Evolution and the Nature of Science Institutes website
Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/ – Chapter 6 Activities
Sorting Out Science
(Word Wall)
Nature of Science Activity
Based upon Of Sunsets, Souls and Senses on ENSI website
Activity: Nature of Inquiry
Caution: PLEASE DONOT TOUCH ORMOVE THE CUBE!
• What is on the bottom side of the cube?
See Activity 1Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/
Chapter 6 Activities
Many thanks for your attention!
Teaching Evolution:
A special presentation for Just gotta evolve
Workshop
February 12, 2010Kimberly Bilica, UTSA