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Evolution-Nos-Nap-Book.Pdf Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science Working Group on Teaching Evolution, National Academy of Sciences ISBN: 0-309-53221-3, 150 pages, 8.5 x 11, (1998) This free PDF was downloaded from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html Visit the National Academies Press online, the authoritative source for all books from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council: • Download hundreds of free books in PDF • Read thousands of books online, free • Sign up to be notified when new books are published • Purchase printed books • Purchase PDFs • Explore with our innovative research tools Thank you for downloading this free PDF. If you have comments, questions or just want more information about the books published by the National Academies Press, you may contact our customer service department toll-free at 888-624-8373, visit us online, or send an email to [email protected]. This free book plus thousands more books are available at http://www.nap.edu. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that this notice appears on the reproduced materials, the Web address of the online, full authoritative version is retained, and copies are not altered. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the National Academies Press. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html TEACHING ABOUT EVOLUTION AND THE NATURE OF SCIENCE NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Washington, DC Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html ii • NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20418 The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distin- guished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Teaching about evolution and the nature of science / [Working Group on Teaching Evolution, National Academy of Sciences]. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-309-06364-7 (pbk.) 1. Evolution (Biology)—Study and teaching. 2. Science—Study and teaching. I. National Academy of Sciences (U.S.). Working Group on Teaching Evolution. QH362.T435 1998 576.8′071—dc21 98-16100 CIP Printed in the United States of America Copyright 1998 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science is available for sale from the National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Box 285, Washington, DC 20055. Call 1-800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313 (in the Washington Metropolitan Area). The report is also available online at www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98 Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html • iii WORKING GROUP ON TEACHING EVOLUTION Donald Kennedy (Chairman) John Moore Bing Professor of Environmental Studies Professor Emeritus of Biology Stanford University University of California Stanford, California Riverside, California Bruce Alberts Eugenie Scott President Executive Director National Academy of Sciences National Center for Science Education Washington, DC El Cerrito, California Danine Ezell Maxine Singer Science Department President Bell Junior High School Carnegie Institution of Washington San Diego, California Washington, DC Tim Goldsmith Mike Smith Department of Biology Associate Professor of Medical Education Yale University Mercer University School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut Macon, Georgia Robert Hazen Marilyn Suiter Staff Scientist, Geophysical Laboratory Director, Education and Human Resources Carnegie Institution of Washington American Geological Institute Washington, DC Alexandria, Virginia Norman Lederman Rachel Wood Professor, College of Science Science Specialist Science and Mathematics Education Delaware State Department of Public Oregon State University Instruction Corvallis, Oregon Dover, Delaware Joseph McInerney Director Biological Sciences Curriculum Study Colorado Springs, Colorado STAFF OF THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION: Rodger Bybee, Executive Director Patrice Legro, Division Director Peggy Gill, Research Assistant Steve Olson, Consultant Writer Jay Hackett, Visiting Fellow Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html iv • Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations that provided financial support for this project. THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES WASHINGTON, DC Visit us at www.nas.edu Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html • v Acknowledgments The National Academy of Sciences gratefully acknowledges contributions from: Howard Hughes Medical Institute The Esther A. and Joseph Klingenstein Fund, Inc. The Council of the National Academy of Sciences The 1997 Annual Fund of the National Academy of Sciences, whose donors include NAS members and other science-interested individuals. We also extend special thanks to members of the Council of State Science Supervisors and teachers who participated in focus groups and provided guidance on the development of this document. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html Contents • viii • Preface • 1 • CHAPTER 1 Why Teach Evolution? Dialogue: The Challenge to Teachers 7 • 11 • CHAPTER 2 Major Themes in Evolution Dialogue: Teaching About the Nature of Science 22 • 27 • CHAPTER 3 Evolution and the Nature of Science Dialogue: Teaching Evolution Through Inquiry 44 • 47 • CHAPTER 4 Evolution and the National Science Education Standards • 55 • CHAPTER 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Evolution and the Nature of Science • 61 • CHAPTER 6 Activities for Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science • 105 • CHAPTER 7 Selecting Instructional Materials Appendices A. Six Significant Court Decisions Regarding Evolution and Creationism Issues 121 B. Excerpt from “Religion in the Public Schools: A Joint Statement of Current Law,” 123 C. Three Statements in Support of Teaching Evolution from Science and Science Education Organizations 124 D. References for Further Reading and Other Resources 130 E. Reviewers 133 • 135 • Index Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5787.html Teaching About viii • Evolution and the Nature of Science Preface In a 1786 letter to a friend, Thomas should be taught in science classes are of Jefferson called for “the diffusion of knowl- great concern to the National Academy of edge among the people. No other sure foun- Sciences, a private nonpartisan group of dation can be devised for the preservation of 1,800 scientists dedicated to the use of sci- freedom and happiness.”1 Jefferson saw clear- ence and technology for the general welfare. ly what has become increasingly evident since The Academy and its affiliated institutions— then: the fortunes of a nation rest on the the National Academy of Engineering, the ability of its citizens to understand and use Institute of Medicine, and the National information about the world around them. Research Council—have all sought to We are about to enter a century in which counter misinformation about evolution the United States will be even more depen- because of the enormous body of data sup- dent on science and technology than it has porting evolution and because of the impor- been in the past. Such a future demands a tance of evolution as a central concept in citizenry able to use many of the same skills understanding our planet. that scientists use in their work—close obser- The document that you are about to read vation, careful reasoning, and creative think- is addressed to several groups at the center of ing based on what is known about the world. the ongoing debate over evolution: the The ability to use scientific knowledge and teachers, other educators, and policy makers ways of thinking depends to a considerable who design, deliver, and oversee classroom extent on the education that people receive instruction in biology. It summarizes the from kindergarten through high school. Yet overwhelming observational evidence for evo- the teaching of science in the nation’s public lution and suggests effective ways of teaching schools often is marred by a serious omission. the subject. It explains the nature of science Many students receive little or no exposure to and describes how science differs from other the most important concept in modern biolo- human endeavors. It provides answers to
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