HR: 09:00h
AN: U11C-05    [Abstracts]
TI: Promoting a Better Understanding of Science
AU: Scotchmoor, J G
EM: jscotch@berkeley.edu
AF: University of California Museum of Paleontology, 1101 VLSB #4780, Berkeley, CA 94720-4780 United States
AU: * Lindberg, D R
EM: drl@berkeley.edu
AF: University of California Museum of Paleontology, 1101 VLSB #4780, Berkeley, CA 94720-4780 United States
AU: Caldwell, R L
EM: rlcaldwell@berkeley.edu
AF: University of California Museum of Paleontology, 1101 VLSB #4780, Berkeley, CA 94720-4780 United States
AB: A recent informal survey by the National Science Teachers Association revealed that more than 30 percent of teachers feel pressure to omit or downplay evolution in their teaching and to include nonscientific alternatives. Bruce Alberts, past president of the National Academy of Sciences, called upon the NAS to confront those challenges, telling ``USA Today'' that teachers ``need more support from scientists -- one of the foundations of modern science is being neglected or banished outright from science classrooms in many parts of the United States.'' It was in response to teachers' needs that the UC Museum of Paleontology (UCMP), in collaboration with the National Center for Science Education, developed what has become an award-winning website, ``Understanding Evolution.'' As successful as this site has become, it is not sufficient. As a result, UCMP expanded the site to include resources appropriate for K-16 students and the general audience that highlight numerous aspects of evolution science and emphasize the importance of evolution both to our understanding of the world around us and to our health and economy. These resources include Research Profiles that focus on three components: the principles of evolution on which the research is based, how the science was done, and the broader impact of the study to additional areas of research and/or to society. Also included in the expanded site is an ``Evo in the News'' feature, FAQs about the teaching controversy, and even comic strips -- something for everybody. However, this too appears to be insufficient. The attack on evolution is symptomatic of a growing mistrust, misconception, and misrepresentation of science. There are even attempts to re-define science. To combat this assault, there is a collaborative effort underway to examine and implement effective strategies for increasing the public understanding of science.
UR: http://evolution.berkeley.edu
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0815 Informal education
DE: 6600 PUBLIC ISSUES
DE: 6699 General or miscellaneous
SC: Union [U]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005