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Carrie Sager
02.28.2008

The aftermath in Florida

The Florida state board of education's vote to adopt a new set of science standards on February 19, 2008, is continuing to attract comment, due largely to the board's decision to adopt, not the final draft of the standards as submitted by the writing committee, but a revised version in which the phrase "the scientific theory of" was inserted before mentions of plate tectonics, cell theory, atomic theory, electromagnetism, the Big Bang – and evolution.

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NCSE Staff
02.20.2008

ISSR adds its voice for evolution

 

The International Society for Science and Religion recently adopted a statement on the concept of "intelligent design," describing it as "neither sound science nor good theology." The statement continues, "Although the boundaries of science are open to change, allowing supernatural explanations to count as science undercuts the very purpose of science, which is to explain the workings of nature without recourse to religious language.

 

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Carrie Sager
02.18.2008

The e-word arrives in Florida

The Florida state board of education voted 4-3 at its February 19, 2008, meeting to adopt a new set of state science standards in which evolution is presented as a "fundamental concept underlying all of biology." The adopted standards differ from those developed by the writing committee in adding the phrase "the scientific theory of" before mentions of plate tectonics, cell theory, atomic theory, electromagnetism, and evolution. According to the standards, "a scientific theory represents the most powerful explanation scientists have to offer."

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NCSE Staff
02.15.2008

BSCS concerned about Texas


In a letter (PDF) to the Texas Commissioner of Education and the members of the Texas state board of education dated February 13, 2008, the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study expressed its opposition to actions in the state of Texas that "compromise the integrity of science and the quality of science education," citing in particular the forced resignation of Chris Comer from the Texas Education Agency and the Institute for

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NCSE Staff
02.15.2008

Designing Darwin contest


Anticipating the bicentennial of Charles Darwin's birth and the sesquicentennial of the publication of the Origin of Species, the Outreach and Education Committee of the British Society for the History of Science is conducting a prize competition for original designs illustrating the significance of these anniversaries. Entries may take the form of posters, illustrated essays, or screensavers.

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