In 1981, the Louisiana Legislature passed Act 685 which requires all public schools to provide balanced instruction for creation-science and evolution-science beginning with the 1982-83 school year. In an effort to determine the role of the State Department of Education in assisting the local education agencies in implementing this act, a task…

This study determined the effect of written persuasive communication on changing the attitudes of Egyptian preservice biology teachers toward teaching the topic of organic evolution. Attitude change was measured by administering an instrument (the Attitude Toward Teaching Evolution Scale) developed for the study. This 22-item, Likert-type scale…

This document consists of four units (chapters) focusing on evolution (chapter I), civilization of man (chapter II), ecological concepts (chapter III), and limnological concepts (Chapter IV). Each chapter contains "text material" on the topic indicated. In addition: (1) a list of key vocabulary words, questions, reading list, and…

Various aspects of the current evolution/creationism controversy are reviewed including the impact of attempting to remove evolutionary material from textbooks and including creationist material. A number of viewpoints, opinions, and references from current literature are cited. (DS)

Homo sapiens is the only extant species for which there exists a significant post-reproductive period in the normal lifespan. Explanations for the evolution of this species-specific trait are possible through "non-deterministic" theories of aging positing "wear and tear" or the failure of nature to eliminate imperfection, or…

Analysis of ten biology textbooks published in the 1970's revealed a de-emphasis in evolution as compared to the 1960's in the overall coverage of 44 topics concerned with evolution in these textbooks. Also, in certain textbooks the emphasis on selected topics concerned with evolution was drastically reduced or eliminated. Many changes in wording…

Stresses the importance of investigating bacterial mechanisms to discover clues for a greater understanding of cells. Cites examples of study areas of biological significance which may reveal information about the evolution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes and lead to a comprehensive theory of cell biology. (RT)

Discusses between-species variation in adaptation of the photosynthetic mechanism to cope with wide fluctuations of environmental water regime. Describes models for water conservation in plants and the role of photorespiration in the evolution of the different pathways. (CW)

Reports on a study designed to examine students' understanding of certain aspects of heat, pressure, and evolution. Results indicated that little change was apparent over the two-year period of the study, with most of the students in the 12 to 14 age range at the same conceptual level as the 14 to 16 year olds. (TW)

Reviews issues and events related to adopting high school biology textbooks in Texas. Specific reference is given to the viewpoints of Mel and Norma Gabler. It is argued that factors controlling textbook content should not result from past market forces, but from a permanent science constituency and an informed public. (DH)

Supreme Court litigation concerning the teaching of evolution in public schools is discussed. Questions regarding the cases for classroom discussion with secondary students are provided. (RM)

Describes current attempts to legislate a requirement for schools to teach creation and evolution in South Carolina. Implications for this movement for the entire nation are discussed. (SL)

After reviewing technological and social changes in society and drawing on the work of Teilhard de Chardin and other philosophers, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration executive challenges educators to show humans the way to a better integration of intellect and intuition and greater unanimity on ethical priorities. (MLF)

The great diversity of mating systems found within the insects is described. This description provides an insight into the extraordinary explanatory power of Darwinian selection theory. (JN)

Religions are unfalsifiable in the short run but open to long-term influence by science. Conversely, scientists sometimes extend their findings to mythic proportions. The struggle between evolutionary science and pseudo-scientific creationism rests on tensions resulting at this interface. Good education and social fairness require greater…