The state Board of Education voted Tuesday to add evolution to Florida's standards for teaching science to K-12 students, but defined it as a "scientific theory," a compromise that did little to appease opponents of the plan. ...more

February 20, 2008

Louise Laferriere's "Scientific Theory" was excellent and the scientific community made a good point in that letter to the editor pertaining to the teaching of evolution in a science environment classroom. As stated, especially as it pertains to DNA, "the theory of evolution explains a huge body of evidence, and it is predictive." The warning about the overuse of antibiotics was another good example of how bacteria may become resistant to control due to evolution. The example that, "Newton's theory of gravity contends that masses attract each other" being wrong is good news for those of us who teach people to fly small airplanes. (We don't want the Earth to be attracted to us until we are ready to land). In this perspective it was stated that gravity may not be used in aerospace. Actually, the physics of lift, thrust, weight (gravity), and drag are the elements affecting an airplane in flight. ...more

February 12, 2008

Recently I read Bob Glavey's letter concerning teaching evolution vs. creationism in Florida schools. It seems he would reject the idea of teaching both views. Why? Wouldn't testing the theories side-by-side demonstrate like the Super Bowl who the real champion is? Or is there fear that another giant upset might occur? Wouldn't the contest be a great educational tool and provide opportunities for inquisitive young minds to make educated choices? Though Mr. Glavey knows some 17th century history, his understanding of science and the Bible reveals that he may need to do some more homework. Mr. Glavey's so-called "creation myth" confusion in Genesis 1 and 2 can be easily clarified by a common teaching and writing method. ...more

February 11, 2008

SEBRING — Scientists, professors, parents and a student apparently convinced the members of the School Board of Highlands County that their individual beliefs should not collectively affect their decision as a board on the issue of teaching evolution. Board members had stated their opposition to a portion of the proposed new state science standards, which state that evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology. The board members said recently that evolution should be taught as a theory, not as fact. At Tuesday's school board meeting, the board was scheduled to consider a resolution calling for the presentation of other theories of life in the study of science. ...more

February 7, 2008

Bill Dailey takes a dim view of teaching evolution in his letter of Jan. 15. He cites a 1914 book as evidence that evolution has been taught since then, with little to show for it. If he had bothered to look up evolution in the World Book Encyclopedia he would have found," Few public schoo1s 'included' evolution in the biology curricula for many years after the [Scopes]_trial." ...more

February 6, 2008

SEBRING — With all five school board members believing evolution should not be taught as fact, the School Board of Highlands County on Tuesday will consider a resolution opposing the state's proposed new science standards stance on evolution. The proposed resolution states, "The board recognizes the importance of providing a thorough and comprehensive science education to all students in Highlands County, which the board believes should include the multiple theories regarding the origins of the universe and life on earth." ...more

February 3, 2008

In Saturday's Highlands Today, the editorial roundup "Debate Evolution, But Not In Science Class," the author suggested that Florida hasn't reached the 21st century with its state science standards. Suggesting that by not requiring the term "evolution" to be used in curriculum has deprived Florida's educational system of some vital material is foolishness at best. Finding a biology book which meets the present standards without the term "evolution" or its concept, will be very difficult. No one seems to know just what this new rule will do to enhance science education in Florida. ...more

January 15, 2008

Americans interested in science education have long supported teaching evolution in schools, yet Florida's science standards do not even mention "the e-word." We hope that's about to change. ...more

December 27, 2007