Books
Evolution and Creationism
Science on Trial: The Case for Evolution. Futuyma, D.J. 1995.
Sinauer Associates, Inc.
[a book written
by a prominent evolutionary biologist that summarizes the evidence for
evolution]
Finding
Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground Between
God and Evolution. Miller, K.R. 1999. Harper Trade.
[this is an excellent, very readable book that explains the different
types of creationists, their arguments, and the evidence against their
arguments and for evolution; the basic thesis of this book is that Dr.
Miller is person of faith, not despite evolution, but because of it]
Science
and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences.
National Academy of Sciences. 1999. National Academy Press.
[a booklet published by the NAS that discusses the evidence supporting
biological evolution, as well as human evolution; the full text is available
online (www.nap.edu/books/0309064066/html/)]
Tower
of Babel: The Evidence Against the New Creationism. Pennock,
R.T. 1999. MIT Press.
[this is a book written by a philosopher of science; he addresses intelligent
design theory (which argues against the philosophical basis of science)
on philosophical grounds; he uses the “non-threatening”
example of the evolution of languages, as an analogy to biological evolution]
Science
and Earth History: The Evolution/Creation Controversy. Strahler,
A.N. 1999. Prometheus Books.
[this book introduces the controversy and analyzes many creationism
claims in a textbook format]
Evolution:
The Triumph of an Idea. Zimmer, C. 2001. Harper Collins Publishers,
Japan.
[this book is also a companion to the PBS series, “Evolution,”
and is a good general overview of evolution]
Resources
for Teaching Evolution
Defending Evolution in the Classroom: A Guide to the Creation/Evolution
Controversy. Alters, B.J. & Alters, S.M. 2001. Jones and
Bartlett Publishers, Massachusetts.
[this book is an excellent resource for teachers; it clearly addresses
many of the common questions about this issue in a question and answer
format]
Teaching
about Evolution and the Nature of Science. National Academy
of Sciences. 1998. National Academy Press.
[a booklet published by the National Academy of Sciences that discusses
evolution and the nature of science, including some classroom activities;
the full text of this book is available online (www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/)]
The
Creation Controversy and the Science Classroom. National Science
Teachers Association. 2000. NSTA Press.
[this booklet includes an article by Craig Nelson that lists some very
good strategies for approaching this topic in the classroom; the booklet
is available at the NSTA
website or go to the ENSI
website for an on-line version of the article]
The
Evolution Explosion: How Humans Cause Rapid Evolutionary Change.
Palumbi, S.R. 2001. W.W. Norton & Company, New York.
[this book, written for the general public, details the relevance of
evolution to modern life, by explaining how humans have affected the
evolution of other species—bacteria, HIV, crop pests, etc.]
Evolution:
Teacher’s Guide. WGBH. 2001. WGBH, Boston.
[this booklet is a companion to the PBS series, “Evolution;”
it contains suggested units on topics related to evolution, including
classroom activities; also see PBS’ excellent website
Miscellaneous
Resources
Reviews
of Creationist Books. Hughes, L.R. (ed.). 1992. National Center
for Science Education (NCSE).
[this book contains a collection of reviews by various authors on books
by creationists; it is intended as a resource for teachers, school boards,
etc.; it is available from the NCSE
website]
Summer
for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate
Over Science and Religion. Larson, E. 1997. Harvard Press.
[winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History, this book details the famous
trial, and its impact on American law and society.]
Voices
for Evolution. Matsumura, M. (ed.). 1995. National Center for
Science Education (NCSE).
[this book contains official statements regarding the teaching of evolution
from scientific societies, educational organizations, civil liberties
organizations, and religious organizations; it is available from the
NCSE website]
Links
to Web Resources
On-Line Lessons and Resources
Access
Excellence
• This site includes many lessons and activities on evolution
scattered throughout, although they can be hard to find. For a specific
program devoted to evolution,
go to: [www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/WWC/1995/]
Evolution
and the Nature of Science Institutes
• This site contains a collection of classroom lessons for middle
and high school teachers on the nature of science, evolution, and the
origin of life.
Evonet
• This site is a “worldwide network for evolutionary biology,”
is sponsored by several professional scientific societies, and includes
links to classroom activities and resources.
PBS
Evolution
• This is the website for the PBS series, Evolution, which debuted
September 24-27, 2001. The site includes many resources and lessons
for teaching evolution, including a teacher’s guide with activities
integrating the 7 part series.
University
of California Museum of Paleontology at Berkeley
• This is an outstanding online museum of paleontology and evolution,
with exhibits and classroom activities.
Professional Organizations
American
Association for the Advancement of Science
• This is AAAS’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion
site. It includes publications on evolution and the relationship between
science and religion.
Biological
Sciences Curriculum Study
• The BSCS is a “non-profit organization that develops inquiry-based
science curricula for K-college.” The site describes their various
curriculum programs.
Kansas
Citizens for Science
• KCFS is a non-profit organization, formed as a result of the
1999 Kansas Board of Education’s decision to eliminate evolution
from the state standards. The goal of this organization is to “promote
better understanding of what science is and does by: advocating for
science education, educating the public about the nature and value of
science, and serving as an information resource.”
National
Academy of Sciences
• This site maintained by the National Academy of Sciences lists
resources for evolution and the nature of science, as well as statements
from the Academy and other scientific organizations
National
Association of Biology Teachers
• This site includes information on NABT publications, the NABT
official statement on teaching evolution, as well as links to other
resources.
National
Center for Science Education
• The NCSE is a nonprofit organization “working to defend
the teaching of evolution against sectarian attack.” This site
includes information on current creationist movements across the country,
as well as resources and links to other useful sites. They have a very
useful newsletter for members (Reports of the National Center for Science
Education).
National
Science Teachers Association
• This site contains information on NSTA publications, and NSTA
position statements regarding evolution.
