CAMARA1, M.D., H.S. CALLAHAN1*, C.T. MELEAR2, AND M. PIGLIUCCI1. 1Division of Biology and 2School of Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996. - Resolving the controversies: a workshop about teaching evolution.
The second annual celebration of Darwin’s Birthday at the University
of Tennessee in Knoxville included a workshop for East Tennessee
teachers and an essay contest for area middle and high school
students. A focus group with local teachers helped to tailor the
workshop and essay contest to the region’s needs. Over 100 teachers
from public and private schools pre-registered for and attended the
4-hour on-campus session. There, Eugenie Scott of the National Center
for Science Education addressed how to refute new anti-evolution
challenges and to defuse controversies surrounding religious beliefs.
UT anthropology department’s Andrew Kramer presented evidence that
early hominids are, in many respects, intermediate or mosaics between
modern man and apes, supporting the hypothesis that they share a
common ancestor. UT geology department’s Michael McKinney discussed
the use of fossils in the classroom and the "top ten
misconceptions about evolution." UT Law School’s Glenn Reynolds
reviewed cases that should give teachers great confidence in the face
of reluctant parents, administrators, or school boards. Finally, Linda
Jordan of the Tennessee Department of Education reviewed the National
Science Teachers Association’s policy on teaching evolution and the
Tennessee curricular framework. Evaluations of the workshop were
generally positive, though a few teachers urged greater tolerance of
individuals’ religious belief, and many asked for a greater emphasis
on specific classroom techniques. Despite somewhat disappointing
levels of participation in the essay contest, several teachers used it
to engage students in lively discussions. Moreover, the winning essays
were outstanding. The grand prize winner presented her ideas at the
Darwin Day Keynote, which headlined Cornell University science
historian Will Provine. These and other Darwin Day activities
successfully captured the attention of the news media and generated a
great deal of discussion on this important topic.
Key words: Darwin, education policy, evolution, outreach, teaching methods, Tennessee