There is increasing pressure to remove evolution from public science classrooms or introduce intelligent design as an alternative scientific theory for the development of life on our planet. Proponents of intelligent design claim that there are fundamental problems with the theory of evolution and that there is a scientific controversy over the validity of evolution; views that are not supported by scientific organizations. The following websites offer explanations concerning what science is, the validity of evolution, teaching resources, and statements in support of evolution from some of the leading natural science organizations in the United States. Many of the sites have useful information for addressing questions and misconceptions raised by parents, students, or the general public.
Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences, Second Edition (1999). National Academy of Sciences. Excellent resource with information on the scientific theories concerning the origin of the earth and life, evidence supporting biological evolution, human evolution, and frequently asked questions concerning evolution. The text can be viewed as an html file or downloaded as a pdf (36 p). For a summary of what the National Academy of Sciences has said in support of evolution and against the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in science classrooms read the conclusion on p. 25.
Evolution on the Front Line. American Association for the Advancement of Science. The publishers of the prestigious journal Science offer Q and A on evolution and intelligent design, statements by AAAS experts in support of evolution, the AAAS board statement opposing the teaching of intelligent design in public science classrooms, numerous evolution resources, reviews of legal issues, and the clergy resource project, which seeks to show that science and religion do not have to be in conflict with statements from clergy in support of the teaching of evolution.
Evolution Resources. National Science Teachers Association. Provides teachers with online resources for teaching evolution, links to evolution headlines and news, summaries and ordering information for three NSTA books “Evolution in perspective,” “The creation controversy-the science classroom,” and “Ecology and evolution-islands of change.” The site also provides the NSTA position statement: “The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) strongly supports the position that evolution is a major unifying concept in science and should be included in the K-12 science education frameworks and curricula. Furthermore, if evolution is not taught, students will not achieve the level of scientific literacy they need. This position is consistent with that of the National Academies, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and many other scientific and educational organizations.” The section, Q and A on the Teaching of Evolution provides answers and talking points to some of the common questions raised by parents and students about evolution, science, and proponents of teaching creationism or intelligent design in the science classroom.
National Center for Science in the Classroom. The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a not-for-profit, membership organization providing information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public school science education. Website provides information on the legal history of the creation-evolution debate, and the positions of more than 100 scientific, religious, educational, and civil liberties organizations on the validity of evolution. Also provides resources for parents, teachers, school boards, and the public, as well as reviews of current legal cases concerning the teaching of evolution.
Political Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution. American Geological Institute. Provides a summary of the legal challenges to the teaching of evolution and attempts to introduce Intelligent Design into public school science classrooms. You can click on a map of the U.S. to see the details of how evolution is being challenged in classrooms, school districts, and state legislatures across the country. There are also links to position statements by AGI and its member societies in support of evolution and opposed to the introduction of creationism or intelligent design in science classrooms
Talk.Origins Archives' Exploring the Creation-Evolution Controversy . This is a Usenet newsgroup site that posts information on the creation/evolution controversy, mostly refuting creationists, but also providing annotated links to hundreds of essays and scientific articles about evolution, the age of the earth, creationism, catastrophism, etc. Articles and commentaries from creationists and intelligent design advocates have been posted (or links provided) along with critiques and reviews. Creationists and intelligent design advocates also comment on scientific claims. You should note that sometimes the debates are contentious and not always conducted with the greatest attention to courtesy. The archives has a helpful search and browse function. The FAQ and Their Answers section provides answers and talking points to common questions made by proponents of teaching creationism or intelligent design in the science classroom. Links to more information are provided for many of the questions.
Evolution and Creationism-the Debate. Geological Society of America. Provides links to sites supporting evolution and links to sites supporting creationism and intelligent design, position statements of scientific organizations supporting evolution, summaries of court cases and suggestions for what you can do to “keep Kansas out of your backyard.”
Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science Working Group on Teaching Evolution, National Academy of Sciences. Manuscript designed to aid teachers and students about understanding evolution and scientific principles. Length is 150 p. The manuscript can be downloaded free as a pdf file or ordered online.
Creation and Intelligent Design Watch. Group that sponsors news about the creation or intelligent design vs. evolution debate; links to curriculum material in support of evolution, guest columns, articles, and headlines from the media around the United States.
Evolution, Creationism, and Intellligent Design. Paleontological Research Institute. his site provides “Evolution and creationism, a guide for museum docents” a pdf manuscript, and “Evolution and creationism guide” an online Powerpoint presentation. The site also has copies of articles concerning PRI's and Cornell University's stance in support of the Dover, Pennsylvania verdict for teaching evolution and opposing the introduction of intelligent design in science classrooms, as well as creationist's commentaries to the guides.
Understanding Evolution. University of California, Berkeley. This excellent website is divided into sections: What is evolution and how it works? How does evolution impact my daily life? What is the evidence for evolution? What is the history of evolutionary theory? and What is the theory of evolution? A teacher section offers advice and material for teaching evolution, the nature of science, relevance of evolution, history of evolutionary thought, evidence, misconceptions and potential pitfalls. A multi-part, on-line Evolution 101 with more detailed explanations of evolution is also offered.
