"When the National Academy of Sciences published a guide on teaching evolution last month, it was no accident, then, that it also focused on what teachers should know and explain to students about the nature of science. Understanding that science is one way of knowing about the world, experts and science educators argue, is essential to comprehending scientific theories, or explanations, for how nature works--whether it's the theory of evolution or the theory that the planets revolve around the sun. Yet many teachers, whether they're instructing kindergartners or high schoolers, don't have a good grasp of the nature of science, the scientific method, or the idea that a scientific 'theory' is not just a guess or hunch, practitioners and observers agree."

--Education Week May 6, 1998

"...the release of the book by the highly respected academy is a testament to the high-profile nature of the long-running classroom battles between evolutionists and believers in the literal truth of the Biblical account of creation over how to teach the origins of life on Earth...is a one-stop-shopping primer on evolution and the nature of science...In addition to presenting evolution's major themes and the latest research on the topic, the book addresses the national science standards and runs through a series of questions about evolution and the nature of science. The guide should prove useful to teachers..."

--Education Week

"In engaging and conversational style, Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science provides a well-structured framework for understanding and teaching evolution that is readily accessible to parents and community officials as well as scientists and educators...Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science brings one of today's educational challenges into focus in a balanced and reasoned discussion and will be an invaluable resource for science teachers and interested non-specialist general readers."

--Wisconsin Bookwatch

"The book is long overdue...The NAS book is extraordinarily well written and illustrated and devoid of pedagagic jargon."

--Chemical & Engineering News, April 20, 1998

"This is a very supportive and helpful book, and I strongly recommend it to teachers, especially at the high school level. The Working Group on Teaching About Evolution of the NAS cn be congratulated on a job well done."

--Tim Berra, Ohio Journal of Science

National Academy Press Web Site, November, 2000

Today many school students are shielded from one of the most important concepts in modern science: evolution. In engaging and conversational style, Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science provides a well-structured framework for understanding and teaching evolution. Written for teachers, parents, and community officials as well as scientists and educators, this book describes how evolution reveals both the great diversity and similarity among the Earth's organisms; it explores how scientists approach the question of evolution; and it illustrates the nature of science as a way of knowing about the natural world. In addition, the book provides answers to frequently asked questions to help readers understand many of the issues and misconceptions about evolution.

The book includes sample activities for teaching about evolution and the nature of science. For example, the book includes activities that investigate fossil footprints and population growth that teachers of science can use to introduce principles of evolution. Background information, materials, and step-by-step presentations are provided for each activity. In addition, this volume:

• Presents the evidence for evolution, including how evolution can be observed today. Explains the nature of science through a variety of examples. Describes how science differs from other human endeavors and why evolution is one of the best avenues for helping students understand this distinction. Answers frequently asked questions about evolution.

Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science builds on the 1996 National Science Education Standards released by the National Research Council--and offers detailed guidance on how to evaluate and choose instructional materials that support the standards.
Comprehensive and practical, this book brings one of today's educational challenges into focus in a balanced and reasoned discussion. It will be of special interest to teachers of science, school administrators, and interested members of the community.

Preface

Chapter 1 Why Teach Evolution?
Dialogue: The Challenge to Teachers

Chapter 2 Major Themes in Evolution
Dialogue: Teaching About the Nature of Science

Chapter 3 Evolution and the Nature of Science
Dialogue: Teaching Evolution Through Inquiry

Chapter 4 Evolution and the National Science Education Standards

Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Evolution and the Nature of Science

Chapter 6 Activities for Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science

Chapter 7 Selecting Instructional Materials

Appendices
A. Six Significant Court Decisions Regarding Evolution and Creationism Issues
B. Excerpt from "Religion in the Public Schools: A Joint Statement of Current Law"
C. Three Statements in Support of Teaching Evolution from Science and Science Education Organizations
D. References for Further Reading and Other Resources
E. Reviewers

INDEX