Darwin Day at the University of Tennessee

"Teaching Evolution: Resolving the Controversies"

Teacher Workshop
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
February 11, 1998

This new addition to our Darwin Day calendar of events has several goals. We hope to raise awareness among teachers that evolutionary thinking is a unifying theme for all of biological science, to expand their working knowledge of evolutionary biology, to provide them with effective arguments against common misrepresentations of evolutionary ideas, and to clarify the legal framework which guides the teaching of evolutionary biology and alternative "theories" in public school science classrooms in Tennessee. The workshop will be held on WEDNESDAY February, 11 from 5:00 - 9:00 . Food will be provided as part of the program, and participants will receive a free Darwin Day T-shirt. The program has been approved for in-service credit for Knox County science teachers. There is a $5.00 registration fee to cover the cost of food, printed materials, and speakers.

The workshop will consist of four segments, each of which will includes brief lecture format presentation and an extensive follow-up discussion among the presenters and participants. The presenters and their topics are:

Dr. Eugenie Scott, National Center for Science Education
Dr. Scott will address the teachers about the scope of creationist attempts to thwart science education in our public schools. Topics to be addressed: A brief history of the creation/evolution controversy as it affects textbooks, curriculum, and teachers: Current events such as the rise of Old-Earth creationism, "intelligent design theory", pressure to teach the "evidence against evolution," and calls for disclaimers. The "big three" issues teachers have to confront in the current situation: 1) that evolution is a "theory in crisis" which scientists are abandoning; 2) that evolution is incompatible with religion; and 3) that it is only "fair" to teach some sort of creationism alongside evolution.

Dr. Mike McKinney, UT Knoxville Geology Department
Dr. McKinney will provide clarification on the terminology and ideology underlying this foundational principle of biology. Topics to be addressed: Common misconceptions about evolution: a brief introduction to the ideas of random variation and natural selection, speciation, and patterns of phylogeny. This will be used as a springboard to clarify issues such as how evolution actually proceeds, the age of the earth, patterns in the fossil record, the frequency of extinctions, why there are still "living fossils" and what evolutionary relatedness really means. An up-to-date summary of currently hot issues in evolutionary biology.

Dr. Andy Kramer, UT Knoxville 's Anthropology Department
Dr. Kramer will offer a synopsis of the evidence describing the evolutionary history of this popular member of the animal kingdom. Topics to be addressed: The evidence for human evolution: our best and most current understanding of the details of the processes, historical patterns, and specific anatomical and behavioral changes that led to the evolution of modern man.

Dr. Glenn Reynolds will be representing UT Knoxville's Law School in a discussion of the legal aspects of the creation/evolution controversy. Topics to be addressed: The legal situation as it pertains to teaching of evolution and creationism in public schools: the rights and responsibilities of teachers and administrators, are science teachers obliged to give creationism equal time?, the difference between science and religion under the law.

Linda Jordan, the Science Consultant of the Tennessee Department of Education, will offer "A Perspective from the State Science Specialist."

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