Re: Evolution/creationism

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From: Karen Kalumuck (karenk@exploratorium.edu)
Date: Tue Jun 11 2002 - 15:46:09 PDT 

Message-Id: <v01540b0cb92c23dfd370@[192.174.3.119]>
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 15:46:09 -0700
From: karenk@exploratorium.edu (Karen Kalumuck)
Subject: Re: Evolution/creationism

Pinholers:

Even Charles Darwin was a "creationist" before the mass of evidence from
his own observations led him to write his seminal works on evolution and
natural selection.

For a fascinating read of BOTH sides of the controversy, I highly recommend
a book written by (philosopher), Robert Pennock of the University of Texas
at Austin - "Tower of Babel", 1999 MIT press; it details the history of
science and creationism, the wide variation in different clusters of
creationist beliefs, and science's response to creationist criticism.
While a longish book, it's really quite fascinating.

Tonight, on PBS KQED, they are re-running the first two episodes of the
excellent Evolution series (and PBS allows you to tape and show the videos,
guilt free, for one year). So, set your VCR's from 8-midnight tonight.
The final two shows will air next Tuesday from 8 to midnight, and the last
show does an excellent job of highlighting the creationism vs. science
issues in both high school and college classrooms, and how it impacts the
non-specialist.

I also highly recommend "The Creation Controversy and the Science
Classroom" by the NSTA press. The first portion "Modern Science and the
Book of Genesis" is written by James Skehan, S.J., Ph.D. a Jesuit priest
and geologist. The second portion "Effective Strategies for Teaching
Evolution and Other Controversial Topics" is written by Craig E. Nelson,
Ph.D., Professor of Biology at Indiana University. This small book does an
excellent job of treating religious beliefs with respect, but separating
them from the process of science, which is distinct.

Also highly recommended is the web site for the National Center for Science
Education (http://www.natcenscied.org/). It's an excellent support sight
for teachers, districts, etc. in teaching about evolution, and it's also an
incredible resource for information on the history of legal decisions
regarding creationism in the classroom.

---Karen Kalumuck

Karen E. Kalumuck, Ph.D.
Biologist
Exploratorium Teacher Institute
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-561-0388
karenk@exploratorium.edu

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