You are hereEvolution, climate change, plate tectonics, and string theory
Summary of problems:Explore Evolution equates alleged controversy about evolution with controversies over plate tectonics, climate change, and string theory. This elevates social and political controversies to the same level as scientific controversy. Whether evolution takes place and explains the diversity of life is no longer scientifically controversial; the remaining controversy derives from political and cultural concerns. "Controversy" over evolution
Summary of problems:Evolution is as well-established as a scientific theory can be. While scientists continue to investigate the importance of different mechanisms involved in evolution, the scientific community agrees that the descent with modification of living things -- the big idea of biological evolution -- accounts for the diversity of life on earth today. To claim or imply otherwise is simply wrong, and miseducates students about a critically important scientific idea. Full discussion:
Inquiry-based learning
Summary of problems:The approach toward learning actually used in EE is directly at odds with the inquiry-based approaches developed by leading science educators. EE gives students incomplete and/or misleading information and provides canned questions and answers, rather than providing students with appropriate background information and allowing them to formulate testable hypotheses. References
Cleland, Carol E. "Historical science, experimental science, and the scientific method", Geology 11:987-90, 2001. Cleland, Carol E., "Methodological and Epistemic Differences between Historical and Experimental Science," Philosophy of Science 69,474-96, 2002. References
Antonis Rokas, Sean B. Carroll, (2006) "Bushes in the Tree of Life," PLOS Biology 4(11): e352 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0040352. Timothy D. Colmer, Timothy J. Flowers, and Rana Munns. (2006) "Use of wild relatives to improve salt tolerance in wheat," Journal of Experimental Botany 57: 1059-1078 Pages
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