The Importance of Teaching Evolution in Public Schools By: Angie Bicher

Introduction In teaching biological evolution conflict always arises between creationism and evolution. My school district is very rural with a very strong fundamentalist religion background. Because many students enter the class with a pre-taught creationist opinion, the issue of presenting evolution data in the classroom can cause controversy.

The battle lines are clearly drawn. Evolution vs. Creation

Evolution On one side of the debate the science community and the science education community feels that any divergence from Darwin’s theories of evolution is an invasion of religion into the public school system.

On the other side of the debate, fundamentalist parents and religious organizations have revolted against what they recognize as attacks on their religious beliefs. Creationism

J M O H N N K E S Y C O T P R E I S A L

In 1925, Tennessee had passed a law forbidding schools from teaching evolution, or any ideas that contradicted creationist theory. This lead to the Scopes Monkey Trial. John Scopes was found guilty of violating Tennessee’s anti- evolution statute.

Comic strips from various newspapers following the Scopes trial.

Prior to the Scope’s trial evolution in science education was almost non-existent in schools, however following the trial evolution was finding new success in schools. Beginning in the 1970’s religious activists sought to promote a Bible-based curriculum known as scientific creationism. When confronted with a conflict between establishment science and religious fundamentalism, most lawyers have assumed that the law clearly favors establishment science.

The First Amendment The first amendment does not permit religious principals to be required instruction in public schools (Kowalski, 2003). Because of this amendment, any effort from fundamentalists to have religion required in schools was denied.

Removing evolution from curriculum On Wednesday, August 11, 1999, The Kansas state board of education voted to reject evolution as a scientific principal. This was a monumental victory for creationists and the first time since 1925 where evolution was to be removed from the curriculum.

Removing evolution from curriculum Thanks to the support of many in the science community evolution was restored to Kansas schools. Many universities threatened to refuse admitting students from Kansas because they would be behind their peers.

Public Opinion 83% of Americans say that Darwin’s theory of evolution belongs in the nations science classes. & 70% don’t see any conflict at all between the two explanations for how life came to be.

Public Opinion With this kind of broad public support, there shouldn’t be any controversy at all about teaching evolution. The fact that there is shows us how very effective a very small but very vocal group has been imposing their views on our schools.

My classroom In my classroom, evolution is taught following the guidelines in the PA State Standards. To achieve an understanding of evolution students take notes, participate in simulations, and actively research the theories of evolution.

Looking for Links Project Step 1: Research animal from today Step 2: Take notes on adaptations, where it lived, what it ate, etc.. Step 3: The year 5,072-- catastrophic event (global warming) Step 4: 2 million years in the future--- tell me your animals new adaptations and why it had to change in order to survive!!

Activity

Conclusion No matter how controversial evolution may be, it is still important for me to educate my students about the science behind evolution. It is their parents job to educate them on the importance of their moral, and/or religious backgrounds.