Becoming a Campus Becoming a Campus and Community and Community
Resource on Science Resource on Science and Evolution and Evolution
Michael A. PhillipsMichael A. PhillipsProfessor of GeologyProfessor of Geology
Illinois Valley Community Illinois Valley Community CollegeCollege
What’s the problem?What’s the problem? Americans favor teaching Americans favor teaching
creation science.creation science. Americans do not understand the Americans do not understand the
science of evolution.science of evolution. Americans do not understand Americans do not understand
that creation science and that creation science and intelligent design are not science.intelligent design are not science.
Favor teaching creation Favor teaching creation science in addition to science in addition to
evolutionevolutionNewsweekNewsweek(Dec. 2004)(Dec. 2004)
CBSCBS(Nov. 2004)(Nov. 2004)
yesyes 60%60% 65%65%
nono 28%28% 29%29%
undecidedundecided 12%12% 6%6%
Favor teaching creation Favor teaching creation science science instead ofinstead of evolution evolution
NewsweekNewsweek(Dec. 2004)(Dec. 2004)
CBSCBS(Nov. 2004)(Nov. 2004)
yesyes 40%40% 37%37%
nono 44%44% 51%51%
don’t knowdon’t know 16%16% 12%12%
Confusion about scientific Confusion about scientific support for evolutionsupport for evolution
Evolution is:Evolution is: scientific theory supported by evidence: 35%scientific theory supported by evidence: 35% one theory among many: 35%one theory among many: 35% don’t know: 29%don’t know: 29%
Human originsHuman origins created as is 10K years BP: 45%created as is 10K years BP: 45% theistic evolution: 38%theistic evolution: 38% non-theistic evolution: 13%non-theistic evolution: 13%
(Gallup poll, Nov. 2004)(Gallup poll, Nov. 2004)
More More ConfusionConfusion Evolution is “based on an overwhelming Evolution is “based on an overwhelming
body of scientific evidence, which strongly body of scientific evidence, which strongly confirms that its key ideas are correct”confirms that its key ideas are correct” 56.3% agreed56.3% agreed
Intelligent Design is “based on an Intelligent Design is “based on an overwhelming body of scientific evidence, overwhelming body of scientific evidence, which strongly confirms that its key ideas which strongly confirms that its key ideas are correct”are correct” 44.2% agreed44.2% agreed
(Nisbet & Nisbet, 2005)(Nisbet & Nisbet, 2005)
Information on the Information on the debatedebate
TV and newspapersTV and newspapers Primary source of informationPrimary source of information Treat the two sides as equalsTreat the two sides as equals
EducationEducation K-12: avoid controversyK-12: avoid controversy Post secondary: hit-and-missPost secondary: hit-and-miss
K-12 EducationK-12 Education Under fireUnder fire
State standardsState standards Local school boardsLocal school boards Parental complaintsParental complaints
TeachersTeachers Undereducated in scienceUndereducated in science UnderstaffedUnderstaffed Concerned about maintaining Concerned about maintaining
employment & respectemployment & respect
Result: Many students receive little, if Result: Many students receive little, if any, instruction regarding evolution.any, instruction regarding evolution.
Colleges & UniversitiesColleges & Universities Undergraduate educationUndergraduate education
5% of college students are science majors5% of college students are science majors 8% in the health and related professions8% in the health and related professions remainder rely on general education for remainder rely on general education for
science knowledgescience knowledge
Result: Many graduates receive little, Result: Many graduates receive little, if any, instruction regarding if any, instruction regarding evolution.evolution.
Teacher EducationTeacher Education Focus has been on pedagogyFocus has been on pedagogy Result: As generalists, many Result: As generalists, many
teachers are ill-prepared to face teachers are ill-prepared to face deep scrutiny of the subjects deep scrutiny of the subjects they teach.they teach.
Teacher EducationTeacher Education Under NCLB, science endorsements (in Under NCLB, science endorsements (in
Illinois) now require one of the Illinois) now require one of the following:following: Pass the Content-Area TestPass the Content-Area Test Have a major or coursework equivalent in Have a major or coursework equivalent in
each area of teaching responsibilityeach area of teaching responsibility Have a graduate degree or advanced Have a graduate degree or advanced
certification in each area of teaching certification in each area of teaching responsibilityresponsibility
Result: deeper content knowledge!Result: deeper content knowledge!
General EducationGeneral Education Many students can miss evolutionMany students can miss evolution Evolution is dealt with piecemealEvolution is dealt with piecemeal
biology: fossil record and deep time biology: fossil record and deep time are usually not coveredare usually not covered
geologygeology not covered in physical or environmentalnot covered in physical or environmental historical geology may not cover biological historical geology may not cover biological
aspects wellaspects well other sciences: most make no mentionother sciences: most make no mention
What to doWhat to do Become a “guest lecturer”Become a “guest lecturer”
in other classesin other classes at teacher workshopsat teacher workshops at schoolsat schools in the communityin the community
How to do itHow to do it Research aspects of evolution Research aspects of evolution
within your area of expertisewithin your area of expertise Develop several off-the-shelf Develop several off-the-shelf
presentationspresentations Make yourself availableMake yourself available
Key: Don’t hold back!Key: Don’t hold back!
PresentingPresenting Get the word outGet the word out
““Advertise” in house and in the Advertise” in house and in the communitycommunity
Exchange with other facultyExchange with other faculty Make connectionsMake connections
Customize for audienceCustomize for audience Assess and reviseAssess and revise
BenefitsBenefits Deeper coverage of evolutionDeeper coverage of evolution Exposure across the curriculumExposure across the curriculum
Recruitment opportunitiesRecruitment opportunities Coverage of classes for absent facultyCoverage of classes for absent faculty New coursesNew courses Useful interdepartmental exchangesUseful interdepartmental exchanges Collegial critiqueCollegial critique
Example Presentations & Example Presentations & Target AudiencesTarget Audiences
Evolution BasicsEvolution Basics teacher prep coursesteacher prep courses teacher workshopsteacher workshops
Geology of EvolutionGeology of Evolution BiologyBiology AnthropologyAnthropology teacher prep coursesteacher prep courses
Example Presentations & Example Presentations & Target AudiencesTarget Audiences
““Science, Evolution, and Science, Evolution, and Creationism”Creationism” Philosophy of ReligionPhilosophy of Religion GovernmentGovernment teacher workshopsteacher workshops teacher prep coursesteacher prep courses
““Science, Evolution, & Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”ResearchResearch
BOTH Evolution & CreationismBOTH Evolution & Creationism Know both sides!Know both sides!
SourcesSources textstexts recent books & articlesrecent books & articles web sites (ie. talkorigins.com)web sites (ie. talkorigins.com)
Stay up to date!Stay up to date!
““Science, Evolution, & Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Structure of PresentationStructure of Presentation What is science?What is science?
historyhistory foundational philosophyfoundational philosophy methodologymethodology what science is notwhat science is not
Why is science important?Why is science important? utility of structured inquiryutility of structured inquiry accomplishmentsaccomplishments
““Science, Evolution, & Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Structure of PresentationStructure of Presentation What is evolution?What is evolution?
history of evolutionhistory of evolution evidence for evolutionevidence for evolution
cover what you knowcover what you know give referencesgive references
Is it science?Is it science? What is ID/creationism?What is ID/creationism?
basic tenantsbasic tenants Is it science?Is it science?
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Foundations of ScienceFoundations of Science Natural Cause:Natural Cause: The universe The universe
behaves in a predictable way under behaves in a predictable way under “rules” that can be determined “rules” that can be determined through observation and through observation and experimentation.experimentation.
Efficient Cause:Efficient Cause: effect follows effect follows cause (no Final Cause or teleology)cause (no Final Cause or teleology)
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Scientific ExplanationsScientific Explanations no arguments from or appeals to no arguments from or appeals to
authorityauthority science can & should build on science can & should build on
published work of others, however:published work of others, however: scientists must be prepared to defend that scientists must be prepared to defend that
work as well as their ownwork as well as their own if the cited work is shown to be false, the if the cited work is shown to be false, the
new worked based on it comes into new worked based on it comes into questionquestion
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Should we use biblical Should we use biblical explanations instead?explanations instead?
St. Augustine:St. Augustine: No.No. He was concerned that if He was concerned that if Christians asserted that the Bible Christians asserted that the Bible contradicted reason and experience with contradicted reason and experience with natural phenomena, potential converts would natural phenomena, potential converts would reject the spiritual message.reject the spiritual message.
Isaac Newton:Isaac Newton: No.No. He was concerned that He was concerned that mixing science and religion would corrupt mixing science and religion would corrupt religion. (Believed nature operates religion. (Believed nature operates according to God’s laws.)according to God’s laws.)
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Is it science?Is it science? EvolutionEvolution
derived from derived from observation: observation: yesyes
natural cause: natural cause: yesyes supported by supported by
natural data: natural data: yesyes change with new change with new
data: data: yesyes
CreationismCreationism derived from derived from
observation: observation: nono natural cause: natural cause: nono supported by supported by
natural data: natural data: nono change with new change with new
data: data: nono
from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism” The Chicago Statement on Biblical The Chicago Statement on Biblical
HermeneuticsHermeneutics
We deny that extrabiblical views ever We deny that extrabiblical views ever disprove the teaching of Scripture or disprove the teaching of Scripture or hold priority over it.hold priority over it.
We deny that any genuine scientific We deny that any genuine scientific facts are inconsistent with the true facts are inconsistent with the true meaning of any passage of Scripture.meaning of any passage of Scripture.
from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism” ICR Tenets of Scientific CreationismICR Tenets of Scientific Creationism
8. Since the universe and its primary 8. Since the universe and its primary components were created perfect for their components were created perfect for their purposes in the beginning by a competent and purposes in the beginning by a competent and volitional Creator, and since the Creator does volitional Creator, and since the Creator does remain active in this now-decaying creation, remain active in this now-decaying creation, there do exist ultimate purposes and meanings there do exist ultimate purposes and meanings in the universe. in the universe. Teleological considerations, Teleological considerations, therefore, are appropriate in scientific therefore, are appropriate in scientific studiesstudies whenever they are consistent with the whenever they are consistent with the actual data of observation, and it is reasonable actual data of observation, and it is reasonable to assume that the creation presently awaits the to assume that the creation presently awaits the consummation of the Creator's purpose.consummation of the Creator's purpose.
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
Biblical Astronomer CredoBiblical Astronomer Credo We believe that the creation was completed We believe that the creation was completed
in six twenty-four hour days and that the in six twenty-four hour days and that the world is not older than about six thousand world is not older than about six thousand years. years. We maintain that the Bible teaches us We maintain that the Bible teaches us of an earth that neither rotates daily nor of an earth that neither rotates daily nor revolves yearly about the sun; that it is at revolves yearly about the sun; that it is at rest with respect to the throne of him who rest with respect to the throne of him who called it into existence; and that hence it is called it into existence; and that hence it is absolutely at rest in the universe.absolutely at rest in the universe.
from “Science, Evolution, & from “Science, Evolution, & Creationism”Creationism”
From Science Digest From Science Digest (July 1980)(July 1980)
International Flat Earth Research SocietyInternational Flat Earth Research Society
Johnson's beliefs are firmly grounded in the Johnson's beliefs are firmly grounded in the Bible. Many verses of the Old Testament Bible. Many verses of the Old Testament imply that the earth is flat, but there's more imply that the earth is flat, but there's more to it than that. According to the New to it than that. According to the New Testament, Jesus ascended Testament, Jesus ascended upup into heaven. into heaven.
"The whole point of the Copernican theory is to "The whole point of the Copernican theory is to get rid of Jesus by saying there is no up and get rid of Jesus by saying there is no up and no down," declares Johnson. "The spinning no down," declares Johnson. "The spinning ball thing just makes the whole Bible a big ball thing just makes the whole Bible a big joke."joke."
Become a “guest Become a “guest lecturer”lecturer”
Research aspects of evolution Research aspects of evolution within your area of expertisewithin your area of expertise
Develop several off-the-shelf Develop several off-the-shelf presentationspresentations
Make yourself availableMake yourself available Customize for audienceCustomize for audience
Key: Don’t hold back!Key: Don’t hold back!
Thank youThank youMike PhillipsMike Phillips
Illinois Valley Community Illinois Valley Community CollegeCollege
[email protected][email protected]
http://www.ivcc.edu/phillipshttp://www.ivcc.edu/phillips
