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The Science Seminar Series: August 23, 2012
The Evolution/Creationism Controversy: A Disgraceful Failure for Science Education
Dr. Leslie Jones
Department of Biology
Valdosta State University
Time: 4:00 -5:00pm
Abstract
Over the years, it has become evident that the Evolution/Creationism controversy is being inadvertently perpetuated by the process of science education. Creationist challenges repeatedly demonstrate that science detractors do not understand the biological premise of evolution and have little or no understanding of the epistemological distinctions between science and religion. Strong creationist worldviews necessarily exclude the acceptance of biological evolution as an explanation for the history of life. Responsible pedagogy must address the fact that science teachers do not hold personal authority for many religious students. Therefore, science instruction must tackle the socio-cultural controversy in order to increase receptivity to even learning what evolution actually is, much less being open to the possibility that this science is true.