Darwin Day at the University of Tennessee

"Focus on Gateway- Teaching Science from an Evolutionary Viewpoint "

Teacher Workshop
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
February 12, 2001

This year's workshop is geared primarily toward middle school, high school, and community college science teachers, but educators from any academic level are welcome to attend.

The recently published "Gateway Standards" provide a clear mandate for teaching biology from an historical perspective. The evolutionary framework for biology reflects the way modern science is practiced and provides more depth and excitement for a subject that is often perceived as being sterile and uninteresting. The workshop will consist of presentations of material commonly covered in textbooks that has been recast with an evolutionary perspective. Presenters will focus on topical information that is relevant to compliance with guidelines provided by the Tennessee Department of Education. Printed materials of the presentation content will be provided.

List of presenters:

Dr. Barry Palevitz (Department of Botany, University of Georgia) is a cellular biologist with interests in science literacy and public perceptions of science.

Dr. Andrew Kramer (Anthropology Department, University of Tennessee) is a physical anthropologist with interests in human evolution and science education.

Activities will include:

- Visual presentations of biology lessons in a dynamic context that emphasize historical relationships.

- Question/answer periods and an open exchange of ideas and challenges for the development of science curricula.

- Dinner buffet and informal chat session with Drs. Kramer and Palevitz on topics of interest from the presentations.

This site is maintained by Steve Furches (furches<at>gmail<dot>com). This page last updated 22-June-2007.