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Abstract Detail



Yes, Bobby, evolution is real!

Armstrong, Joseph [1], Sundberg, Marshall [2].

Yes, Bobby, evolution is real!.

Justification: There is general agreement (AAAS, Vision and Change, 2009: College Board, AP-Biology Curriculum Framework, 2011; NAS, Science,Evolution, and Creationism, 2008; and the Botanical Society of Americas Statement on Evolution, 2003) that evolution is one of the major themes that should be incorporated into all introductory biology courses of both high schools and colleges. In honor of meeting in New Orleans, what better symposium could the Teaching Section and the Botanical Society support than one on evolution in a state trying to remove evolution from state teaching standards; a state who's governor, educated in biology, denies the veracity of evolution? In addition to providing background into some of the reasons why teachers find it difficult to teach evolution in their biology classes, we propose to include speakers who can provide insights into how to effectively incorporate biology into the classroom. We propose having several speakers, some of whom are available locally, for a unique opportunity.Proposed speakers and/or topics:Dr. Barbara Forrest, Southeastern Louisiana University, Professor of Philosophy. She testified at the Dover trial and has authored books on creationism, most notably Creationisms Trojan Horse. Dr. Donald Aquillard, superintendent of the St. Mary Parish School District. He did his science education dissertation at LSU on creationism in Louisiana. He was the lead plaintiff in Aguillard v. Louisiana, the case that eventually produced the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard (1987). In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the teaching of creationism in public school science classes is unconstitutional.Speaker on the role of evolution in agriculture. Origin and evolution of crops, pesticide resistance, genetic resources.Speaker on the role of evolution in medicine. Growth of evolutionary thought in medical research and practice; evolution of diseases,antibiotic resistance.Evolution and the fossil record, the botanical perspective.Putting Evolution in the Classroom. Dr. Randy Moore and/or Dr. Gordon Uno. Both Moore and Uno actively incorporate evolution as a unifying element of modern biology. Moore is the author of Educational Malpractice Why Do So Many Biology Teachers Endorse Creationism? Skeptical Inquirer: Nov, 2001 in which he explores the situation surrounding the teaching of evolution in public schools. Uno is an advocate of specifically incorporating the term Evolution into every class meeting during the semester.Invite members of the LA Coalition for Science (LCFS) to attend. Their blog is probably the most up-to-date source of information on the battles waged and those spearheading the resistance. See http://lasciencecoalition.org/

Broader Impacts:


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1 - Illinois State University, School of Biological Sciences, CAMPUS BOX 4120, NORMAL, IL, 61790-4120, USA, 309 438 2601
2 - Emporia State University, Biological Sciences, 1200 Commercial St, Emporia, Kansas, 66801, USA

Keywords:
Science Education
evolution/creationism controversy
teaching evolution
Citizen Science.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY04
Location: Grand Ballroom A/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 1:25 PM
Number: SY04SUM
Abstract ID:23
Candidate for Awards:None


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