Those of you with knowledge of Evolution, I ask of you...?

Question

Please respond to this question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321092939AARnnY7&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMhjBRWYX3oD4yP9DJlJyeRRxncg0FiJvcmA--&paid=answered#AKIrCUDJUVezHTBXcuJP

How does a statement like this make you feel about the state of science education in the US?

Answer 1

I happen to be a high school biology teacher and a Christian, and I can't believe how many of my students completely shut down when I start the unit on introductory evolution. I personally think it stems from narrow-minded or misinformed parents and kids too lazy to think outside themselves and the bubble of existence most have grown up in.

I always start my evolution unit with one major point that I emphasize over and over again: natural selection and evolution is the leading SCIENTIFIC theory on the origins of ALL species. I make sure my students understand that they can *believe* whatever they want, but because they are in a science class, they will learn science. The fact that evolution is backed up by years of research based on the scientific method makes it the leading scientific theory of species origins. The fact that no research (as far as I know) based on scientific method has supported creationism or intelligent design means it doesn't belong in a science class.

I'm not surprised these ideas still exist out in the general public--no one should be. Say what you want good or bad about George Bush, but he watches his polls. And when he makes decisions on handcuffing stem cell research based on fundamentalist Christian ideology because the poll numbers look good, well, need I say more.

Again, for my part, my students will learn about speciation, natrual selection, and evolution ONLY in my science classroom. I'm not brazen enough to think I can make every one of them believe it, but it will be the only scientific theory they learn, unless another scientific theory comes along to challenge it. The day the government starts forcing me to teach creationism in my biology classroom will be the day I stop teaching.

Answer 2

This is the "teach the controversy" policy in action.

Unable to create a controversy within the science community, they try to drive the debate into high school classrooms.

And they have succeeded.

One of the most upsetting questions I see on YA is not questions like this poster ... but one where some kid has to take one side or the other in a "creationism vs. evolution" debate IN THE BIOLOGY CLASSROOM.

Don't get me wrong. This would be a great topic in a debate class, or politics class, or philosophy, or sociology. I am not advocating the stifling of discussion. But NOT IN A SCIENCE CLASSROOM. Not if the idea is to "present both sides of the controversy" ... because THERE IS NO CONTROVERSY IN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY.

To leave kids thinking that his is something the scientists are still puzzling about only leaves kids confused ... and teaching for the express goal of leaving the student *confused* is despicable!

Answer 3

It is beyond frustrating. What upsets me even more is that as an educator, I risk losing my job if I say something that may offend people in regards to their religion. That said, I had a very unpleasant meeting with a parent who was upset that I presented a (non-fiction, mind you) book to a child that stated how long ago the Earth was formed. Apparently, in their household, any books that go against the 6,000 year idea are not acceptable.

It isn't our education system that is at fault in the US. Rather, it is the ignorant people who don't value education for their children (well, education that doesn't come from the Bible.)

Answer 4

A very sad state of affairs.

The best I feel I can personally do is to not sit by quietly if someone starts such a converstion in my presence.

I also buy books by Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett and pass them around to friends. And, when the friends are done with them, I give them to the local library.

The only other thing I can think of to do is to keep bashing the creationists on Yahoo answers and hope there are some few people who are interested in evidence and facts and can turn away from beliefs in assorted myths.

Answer 5

I really fear for the future of our country. I'm a neuroscience grad student, and when I was in high school, this wasn't even a debate (at least, not in my school system). And really, this shouldn't be a debate. One is a scientific theory, the other is a religious theory. One can be proven, the other cannot. Apples and oranges. And it really disturbs me when people can't see that.

If people want to believe in the creation theory, fine. Teach it at home, or at church. But it has absolutely no place in the education system! Besides being just a story, where's the separation of church and state?

I'm very concerned that the people who are ignorant and not willing to learn, and who are religious and don't ever question their religion, are far outnumbering those of us who are sane. ;)

Answer 6

The person does not understand science and further, does not understand the concept of scientific theory. Clearly, we need to do a better job in public education.

Answer 7

grrr. Coming up in my turf and starting @#$%#@$@#.

Hi Phoenix. (I will never get used to that, that is my wife's name, too.)