Evolution

UC Berkeley's Understanding Evolution

Provides a wealth of information, with interactive web materials covering everything from the history of evolutionary theory to the impact of evolution on our everyday lives. Includes an excellent site on Teaching Evolution as well as Evolution 101, an overview webquest that is a great place to start exploring, covering basic concepts, common misconceptions, and best practices on teaching evolution. Subscription to site updates and RSS feeds available.

Evolution on the Front Line (AAAS)

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has played a prominent role in responding to efforts in Kansas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere to weaken or compromise the teaching of evolution in public school science classrooms. This site provides background materials on the controversy and links to AAAS resources on evolution. [Reports, videos, podcasts and downloads]

PBS : Evolution: A journey into where we're from and where we're going

The Evolution project's eight-hour television miniseries travels the world to examine evolutionary science and the profound effect it has had on society and culture. From the genius and torment of Charles Darwin to the scientific revolution that spawned the tree of life, from the power of sex to drive evolutionary change to the importance of mass extinctions in the birth of new species, the Evolution series brings this fascinating process to life. The series also explores the emergence of consciousness, the origin and success of humans, and the perceived conflict between science and religion in understanding life on Earth. The PBS Evolution site is great to explore, both for teachers and students. The webquests and online lessons presented cover a comprehensive range of topics, and engage the user with beautiful pictures and videos. [Library, resources for teachers, for students, videos and web activities]

The Talk Origins Archives

Talk.origins is a Usenet newsgroup devoted to the discussion and debate of biological and physical origins. Most discussions in the newsgroup center on the creation/evolution controversy, but other topics of discussion include the origin of life, geology, biology, catastrophism, cosmology and theology. Includes FAQs on evolutionary theory, the underlying biological priciples, research from Darwin to the modern day, and the creation/evolution controversy. [Collection of articles, essays and links]

Evolution Resources from the National Academies

The National Academies bring together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public. Four organizations comprise the Academies: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. [Reports, statements, research papers on evolution, academy articles and online resources]

"Evolution: 24 Myths and Misconceptions"

2008 article by Michael Le Page, for NewScientist magazine. Le Page' exposes and addresses popular misconceptions about evolution, such as "Natural selection is the only means of evolution" or "Evolution produces creatures perfectly adapted to their environment," and more ...

TED talks on Evolution's Genius

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) began in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from the archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted. [Lectures by the likes of Steven Pinker, David Gallo, Richard Dawkins and more on the elegant designs of evolution.]

Action BioScience: Issues in Evolution

The American Institute of Biological Sciences provides articles on a number of key topics in evolution, including the evolution in action, science and belief, and the fossil record. [Articles and transcribed interviews with scientists.]

American Scientist's Archive of Evolution Articles

From the archives of American Scientist, the magazine of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. Features a wide range of topics and dates, from 1998 to present.

BBC History profile of Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)

Charles Robert Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire into a wealthy and well-connected family. His maternal grandfather was china manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood, while his paternal grandfather was Erasmus Darwin, one of the leading intellectuals of 18th century England ... and more

Learning From the Fossil Record

Evolution through a paleontological lens. Sections include: Paleontology and Scientific Literacy (Why are fossils important to science and society?), Learning from the Fossil Record (A collection of classroom activities), The Geological Time Scale, National Science Standards Matrix (Ties to content standards and grade levels identified for each), Tapping Educational Resources (What resources are out there waiting to be used?)

National Geographic's "Neanderthal Code"

Who were the Neanderthals? How human were they? Why did they go extinct? For 150 years the fate of our closest relatives has been a mystery. But now scientists can start answering these questions - with the help of DNA. Learn what DNA and evolution tell scientists about Neanderthals. [Rich multimedia website companion to the National Geographic Channel documentary of the same name]

Evolution Research News : The Academic Guide to Evolution News and Research

Major archive of news and science research in evolutionary biology, containing papers from 1997 to present. News items are sorted by Daily / Weekly News, Journals, Books, and Websites

Resources for Teaching Evolution

UC Berkeley's Understanding Evolution for Teachers

Superior resource for learning about evolution and about teaching evolution. Includes Evolution 101, and modules on misconceptions, pitfalls, and roadblocks. Also contains a Lessons Database searchable by grade level, subject and keywords.

Rutgers University Evolution Teaching Resources

A comprehensive collection of teaching resources, including misconceptions, lectures, student literature and assessment practices

NSTA Evolution Resources

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) provides a wealth of resources to teachers, from news on evolution in the classroom to lesson plans and association publications on teaching evolution. Includes a link to NSTA's interactive Galapagos teaching resources. NSTA is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's membership of 60,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education. [Links, News, FAQs, Essays etc.]

PBS Evolution Resources for Teachers

Variety of teaching resources including, online course for teachers teaching evolution, classroom case studies videos, print resources, online lessons for students, interactive exercises, all linked to National Science Education Standards. Teacher modules come with facilitator notes, providing guidance to those interested in offering professional development workshops to other teachers or community members.

Evolution and the Nature of Science Institute

Central to the ENSI program is the importance for students to learn the nature of modern science (including its uncertainty and other limits) as it is conceptualized and practiced today, before introducing the elements of evolution as an example of modern scientific thinking. Much of the misunderstanding about evolution, and much of the perceived "conflict" between science and religion claimed by some people can be traced to misinformation about both science and evolution as both are understood and used by modern scientists.[Listserv, lessons, news, and more. Lessons include Nature of Science, Evolution Patterns, Evolution Processes and Origin of Life]

Access Excellence: Evolution Activities Exchange

Collection of lesson plans, simulations, materials lists, and discussion guidelines for lessons on evolution. See also this sample course syllabus.

New York Times Learning Network: Evolution Lessons

Collection of lessons that use recent New York Times articles as springboards for examining evolution in the classroom.

DiscoverySchool.com

Detailed outline on how to teach evolution. Includes lesson plan, discussion topics, and methods for evaluating work. There are also vocabulary words, links, and suggested academic standards. Objectives include getting students to understand the following:

• Darwin presented a theory of evolution in 1859 that has been accepted but also debated over the years
• From the 18th century to today, many scientists - botanists, zoologists, geologists, geneticists - have contributed to the study of evolution

Evolution Webquest

Evolution is known as the "Unifying Theory of Biology," yet it is probably the most controversial theory. Some people oppose evolution because of religious beliefs, and some even believe strongly that the theory should not be taught in schools at all. The debate has been going on for several years. Most biologists feel that you can't teach about animals and biology without using the Theory of Evolution to explain why things are they way they are. In this activity, you are going to create an informational web site exploring the controversy of evolution and answering some of your own questions about the topic. It is best to enter this project with an open mind. [Web assignment to understand evolutionary theory, and examine alternate theories and challenges.]

Action BioScience: Lesson Directory

ActionBioscience.org provides original peer-edited lessons, written by science educators, to specifically accompany peer-reviewed articles on our site. Each lesson contains questions related to the article, as well as a variety of student activities that promote active learning and inquiry into current issues in the biosciences. [Middle and High School lesson plans on evolution, biotechnology, environment, biodiversity, genomics, etc.]

Case-Based Learning Lessons in Evolutionary Biology

The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (at University of Buffalo) has several cases on evolution topics. These cases are written for undergraduate education and can be easily adapted for use in high schools. Several examples specifically address Intelligent Design.

Human Evolution: The fossil evidence in 3D

3D gallery of modern primate relatives and fossil ancestors of humans. This gallery contains five modern primate crania, and five fossil crania. The crania can be rotated 360 degrees. Each cranium is accompanied by a short description of its relevance to human evolution, and a site map.

Becoming Human: Learning Center

The Learning Center provides two lessons to accompany the Becoming Human interactive online documentary. The lessons are: 1) The Chromosome Connection (students are taken on a chromosome comparison "adventure", in which the banding patterns are compared on the chromosomes of humans and apes); and 2) Building Bodies (upright posture and the ability to walk on two legs are crucial, major adaptations associated with the divergence of the human lineage from a common ancestor with the African apes. Learn how we stood up!)

Evolution Lesson Plans

12 lessons mostly aimed at late elementary and middle school (links to Access Excellence and other lessons)

Evolution-themed Political Cartoons

A collection of evolution-themed political cartoons, particularly useful for discussing misconceptions.

About Teaching Evolution

The Evolution Solution: Teaching Evolution Without Conflict [PDF]

Larry Flammer's 2006 article in the American Biology Teacher. Abstract: A strategy for teaching high school biology that opens with an intensive nature-of-science unit followed by question-raising topics, leading directly to evolution as a solution and a unifying theme. This special sequence - using specially designed student-centered lessons - is compelling and non-threatening for students.

Controversial Issues in the Classroom

Harwood and Hanh's 1990 article from ERIC Digests... "This ERIC Digest explores the use of classroom discussions as a pedagogical technique to examine controversial issues by considering (1) the nature of controversial issues discussions, (2) the importance of discussion in social studies instruction, (3) what is known about the use of controversial issues discussions in social studies, and (4) suggestions for implementing controversial issues discussions in the classroom."

Teaching Evolution and the Affective Domain, Carleton College

Few topics engage the multifaceted challenges of the affective domain as much as evolution does. From the faculty point of view, teachers may be frustrated by judicial, political and social pressures against the teaching of evolution that seem poised to undermine the science. The resources attached to this site "offer strategies that are useful for teaching evolution while minimizing conflict and maximizing learning.

The National Academies Press: Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science

Today, many school students are shielded from one of the most important concepts in modern science: evolution In engaging and conversational style Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science provides a well-structured framework for understanding and teaching evolotion. The complete text of the book is available online.

National Center for Science Education

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) defends the teaching of evolution in public schools. We are a nationally-recognized clearinghouse for information and advice to keep evolution in the science classroom and "scientific creationism" out. NCSE is the only national organization to specialize in this issue. We provide:

• Reviews of current anti-evolution activity in the United States and around the world
• Background to the fundamentally creationist and anti-evolution movement known as "Intelligent Design"
• Detailed information on the Creation/Evolution controversy from 1859 to the present
• Resources for parents, teachers, school boards, and the general public

Teaching Evolution in the Science Curriculum (Creation Science Research Center)

[Numerous statements, essays and opinions from the Creation Science Research Center] For example: "Controversy should not be excluded from the science classroom, but should be one of the means used to give students a correct understanding of the processes of science. It is necessary that controversial issues which arise in connection with the science curriculum be handled in the classroom in a way which helps all students, without compromising their personal beliefs, to mature in their understanding of how to relate to and work with others with whom they may have important differences, even strongly conflicting convictions."

"Teaching Evolution, State by State"

A 2001 article by Lawrence Lerner in Freethought Today about Lerner's Fordham Foundation report, grading the teaching of evolution state-by-state, which focused on three primary questions

• In learning about the history of life on earth, and the related histories of the universe and the nonliving earth, what essentials should students learn as they progress from the primary grades through high school?
• On what religious and political grounds do creationists (and other less visible groups of anti-evolutionists) object to the learning of science, and what pseudoscientific alternatives do they offer?
• How well do various states outline the scientific essentials in their K-12 science standards, and to what extent do they degrade those standards by responding to creationist pressures?

Statements on Teaching Evolution

National Science Teachers Association statement

National Association of Biology Teachers statement

The Interacademy Panel on International Issues statement [PDF]

American Institute of Biological Sciences: Evolution List Server Network

Connect with other teachers and scientists via this email listserv (one for each state).

Science Teaching Must Evolve

Andrew Moore's 2008 commentary in Nature... "Pupils are short-changed on molecular evolution, the best approach yet to investigating biology's central theory. The result: they leave school without fully understanding how well supported evolutionary theory is. Worse still, the understanding they have - based on the fossil record - is easy prey to specious arguments from anti-science movements."

"Sifting Through Faith and Science"

As Florida requires the teaching of evolution in public schools, a teacher, Kathryn Bylsma, faces skepticism from her eighth-grade students. [The New York Times feature video.]

"A Teacher on the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash"

2008 article by Amy Harmon for The New York Times about Florida teacher David Campbell and his experience on the front lines as faith and science clash over teaching evolution.

"Was Darwin Wrong?"

A 2004 National Geographic article by David Quammen about evolution and theory versus fact . Evolution by natural selection, the central concept of the life's work of Charles Darwin, is a theory. It's a theory about the origin of adaptation, complexity, and diversity among Earth's living creatures. If you are skeptical by nature, unfamiliar with the terminology of science, and unaware of the overwhelming evidence, you might even be tempted to say that it's "just" a theory. In the same sense, relativity as described by Albert Einstein is "just" a theory.

Creation/Evolution Encyclopedia

Creation evidence against evolutionary theory. According to this site ..."Here are facts of true science which can help you and others. Knowing the truth about origins can help people live better, happier lives. You will find here the most complete collection of facts on this subject available on the worldwide web." Connects to other creationist web sites. [Links, essays, glossary]

Whyfiles: Evolution

This site offers short articles on evolution, the debate between creationism and science, and more. One school's new approach to teaching evolution is outlined. [Links, articles, timelines, maps]

"Supreme Court won't hear case on teaching evolution in public schools"

A 2002 article by Gina Holland (AP) for Boston.com about a U.S. Supreme Court decision to stay out of the evolution vs. intelligent design debate. A christian bilogy teacher, named Rodney LeVake was reassigned to a teaching job in southern Minnesota after confiding to a colleague that he had "scientific doubts about Charles Darwin's view of species' gradual change." LeVake's argued that his reassignment violated his constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of religion.

"Teaching Evolution, State by State"

A 2001 article by Lawrence Lerner in Freethought Today about Lerner's Fordham Foundation report, grading the teaching of evolution state-by-state, which focused on three primary questions

• In learning about the history of life on earth, and the related histories of the universe and the nonliving earth, what essentials should students learn as they progress from the primary grades through high school?
• On what religious and political grounds do creationists (and other less visible groups of anti-evolutionists) object to the learning of science, and what pseudoscientific alternatives do they offer?
• How well do various states outline the scientific essentials in their K-12 science standards, and to what extent do they degrade those standards by responding to creationist pressures?

About the Creation Science Research Center

The Creation-Science Research Center was founded in 1970 and incorporated in California as a non-profit educational and scientific corporation and is officially designated by the State Attorney General as a public-service corporation. C-SRC may be described as a public education and advocacy organization. The overarching operating principle of C-SRC is the development and application of a constitutional-legal strategy for redressing philosophical imbalance wherever tax-funds are being used to promote a particular philosophical-religious belief system.

National Center for Science Education

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) defends the teaching of evolution in public schools. We are a nationally-recognized clearinghouse for information and advice to keep evolution in the science classroom and "scientific creationism" out. NCSE is the only national organization to specialize in this issue. We provide:

• Reviews of current anti-evolution activity in the United States and around the world
• Background to the fundamentally creationist and anti-evolution movement known as "Intelligent Design"
• Detailed information on the Creation/Evolution controversy from 1859 to the present
• Resources for parents, teachers, school boards, and the general public Provides links, resources and journal articles

"A Brief History of the Conflict Between Evolution and Creation Science"

Creation Science was the prevailing belief system before the rise of geology in the late 18th Century. The early European scientists, from Copernicus to Galileo to Newton believed (as did almost all Christians in their time) in a literal interpretation of the Bible's account of creation. Pro-Creation Science article from Religious Tolerance.org and Ontario Consultants on Religiious tolerance [Articles, opinion]

Evolution vs. Creationism Links

Created in conjunction with the Physics 106 course ("Science for the 21st Century") at Syracuse University, this site is a collection of links to sites, archives and newsgroups about evolution and creationism. Links are organized according to type (Directories, Newsgroups, FAQs) and subject matter (Evolution sites, Creationism sites, etc.)

The Center for Science and Culture

Started in 1996, the Center for Science and Culture is a Discovery Institute program which:

• supports research by scientists and other scholars challenging various aspects of neo-Darwinian theory;
• supports research by scientists and other scholars developing the scientific theory known as intelligent design;
• supports research by scientists and scholars in the social sciences and humanities exploring the impact of scientific materialism on culture.
• encourages schools to improve science education by teaching students more fully about the theory of evolution, including the theory's scientific weaknesses as well is its strengths.

Discovery's Center for Science and Culture has more than 40 Fellows, including biologists, biochemists, chemists, physicists, philosophers and historians of science, and public policy and legal experts, many of whom also have affiliations with colleges and universities. [Research, Policy, Video, Curriculum, News]

Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution

Creationists used to bug Jobe Martin, until a bug helped make Jobe Martin a creationist. Only half an inch long, the Bombardier Beetle may not be very big, but it helped chew great big holes in his long-held views on evolution. Or, more accurately, burn them. For on closer inspection the modest beetle is a marvel of nature, a sort of six-legged tiny tank. It defends itself by mixing chemicals that explode; firing through twin tail tubes that can swivel like gun turrets. The bubbling liquid that shoots out at 212 degrees Fahrenheit is enough to deter most predators. [Review for documentary of the same name, designed to "shake the traditional foundations of evolutionary theory."]

Darwin vs. Creationism

Debate pitting science against theology is commonplace in virtually every modern society. In U.S. public education, no theologically-centered debate is more intense, fierce or widespread than that involving Christian fundamentalists and the modern scientific community (Alexander and Alexander, 1998). To understand both sides of this debate, it is essential that one understands differences in scientifically and theologically- based world views. One of the best written essays regarding these differences is Ernst Mayer's "The Concerns of Science," from his book entitled "This is Biology: The Science of the Living World." [Essay, links, education policy]

"The Battle for American Science"

2003 article by Oliver Burkeman and Alok Jha for The Guardian
"One of the first signs that something was changing came in March last year in the suburbs of northern Atlanta, when people started talking, a little more frequently than might be expected, about mousetraps. It was hardly unprecedented in the US that a group of local parents should be lobbying for their children to be taught that evolution was a disputed theory, not a fact. But the way some of them were doing it was new, which is where the mousetraps came in. Unlike some of the openly evangelical Christian lobbies, they didn't want schools to teach creationism - the theory that God created the universe in seven days - they only wanted to air a theory known as Intelligent Design."

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Evolution Controversy

"The issue: What restrictions does the First Amendment place on the ability of states and school boards to restrict the teaching of evolution or encourage the teaching of 'creation science' in the public school classrooms?" [Descriptions of landmark court cases, Essays, links, Biographies]