Outlines principles of evolutionary theory, including such recent changes as punctuated equilibria. Indicates that the incompleteness of Darwin's theory has been replaced with a conceptual framework and empirical information. Controversial issues remain, but the basic ideas still stand strong. (DH)

Studies of mitochondrial DNA imply that modern humans arose in Africa 150,000 years ago and spread throughout the world, replacing all prior human groups. But many paleontologists see continuity in human fossils on each continent and over a much longer time. Modeling may help test these alternatives. (Author/MKR)

Discusses the work of evolutionary biologists in determining how sexual reproduction arose. Topics explored include the nature of sex, bacterial sex, meiotic sex, and asexual reproduction. A diagram (which can be used as a duplicating master) illustrating types of bacterial sex is included. (DH)

Interviews with 84 students (12- to 16-year-olds) suggest they have a poor understanding of biological education. Students' responses, question context influences, age trends, and implications for biology teachers are discussed. Among conclusions are: (1) Most students use teleological and anthropomorphic explanations; and (2) evolution should be…

Describes briefly the development of ancient as well as current theories and ideas on biological evolution. (ZWH)

Summarizes recent findings that help in understanding how evolution has brought about the diversity of plant life that presently exists. Discusses basic concepts of evolution, diversity and classification, the three-line hypothesis of plant evolution, the origin of fungi, and the geologic time table. Included are 31 references. (CW)

Describes an activity that uses paper airplanes to demonstrate natural selection and is preceded by a lesson on the fossil record to supply a foundation for the concept of evolution. (JRH)

Suggests classroom projects for investigating the diversity of insects. (LS)

Reports on techniques used by creationists to argue against evolution. They include intensifying or downplaying messages, omitting information, associating creationists beliefs with other beliefs, quoting out of context, and others. Also suggests that learning to read critically will help students evaluate creationists' rhetoric. (DH)

Proposes that the concept of evolution be used to integrate and link topics in biology syllabi. Justifies and cites advantages of teaching biology from an evolutionary viewpoint, providing specific examples of implementation possibilities. (ML)

Describes the development of casts that replicate fossil finds to help teach human evolution. (MKR)

Discusses evidence suggesting that the earliest land plants (small simple forms in damp areas during the Silurian period) preceeded the earliest land animals (including such small arthropods as millipedes and mites). Close animal-plant interactions occurred at the onset with more complex terrestrial ecosystems developing by the Devonian. (DH)

Presented are ideas for the teaching of natural selection using materials related to living creatures instead of artificial models such as toothpicks. Some investigations using simple flowtanks to investigate the stability of Gryphaea shells and a simulated non-visual search for Cepaea are suggested. (Author/AJ)

Provides rules for a game which simulates selection pressures on a hominid group. Objectives include an appreciation of how selectivity works, an understanding of how abiotic factors are able to influence a population, and how interactions within the population can influence the group. (JM)