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Accepting Evolution Anusuya Chinsamy and va Plagnyi Cape Town, South Africa University of Slide 2 EVOLUTION TroublingControversial Contentious Troubling Controversial Challenges religious beliefs and values Slide 3 Farmer, P. (1979) Beginnings: Creation Myths of the World. Atheneum, New York Hamilton, V. (1988) In the Beginning: Creation Stories from around the world. Harcourt, Brace, Javanovich, San Diego. Many different religions- many ideas about how the world was created. Slide 4 CENTRAL IDEA OF BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION: All life on Earth shares a common ancestor Through process of descent with modification, the common ancestor diversity of life on earth. Scientific view (i.e. involves observation, hypothesis and Testing): 1. Life has a history i.e. it changed over time 2. Different species share common ancestors Slide 5 2009 = Darwin 200 Charles Darwin (1809- 1882) Slide 6 1831: - post as naturalist (unpaid!) on the H.M.S. Beagle - Voyage around the world lasted about 5 years - Collected a wide range of plants, insects, and animals, incl. fossils. Also studied and animals, incl. fossils. Also studied geological formations. geological formations. Slide 7 Significance of Darwins hypothesis 1. Provides volume of evidence that evolution occurs 2. Provides a mechanism for how evolution occurs i.e. through natural selection through natural selection 3. Unifying theory for biology- explains why related organisms are similar; explains relationship between organisms are similar; explains relationship between structure and function; leads to testable hypotheses structure and function; leads to testable hypotheses Slide 8 Resistance to the science of evolutionary biology Driven by: proponents of intelligent design perceived incompatibilities between evolution and a diversity of religious faiths Slide 9 before/after survey of 1 st year students in Faculty of Science assess their background knowledge on the subject 2006 - attitudes of the first year students to learning about evolution Student bodyGood mix of race; gender; religions Generally about 18 years High achieving students Evolution only taught in schools in SA since 2009 Slide 10 SURVEY Right/wrong Anonymous Code-names 17 questions; ranked in 5 categories: Strongly agree; Agree; Dont know/neutral; Disagree; Strongly disagree. 1 X Express a view 94 Before and After questionaires; matched code-names a)Religious-based questions concerning evolution; b)Questions probing fundamental understanding of evolution concepts; c)Scientific facts regarding evolution d)Fallacious questions to test the quality of responses. Slide 11 Fallacious questions to test the quality of responses. Slide 12 Questions probing fundamental understanding of evolution concepts Slide 13 Scientific facts regarding evolution Slide 14 Religious-based questions concerning evolution Slide 15 % Change in Before and After responses Slide 16 . I found it interesting. One of those things I heard people talk about but never really took seriously. Now I found all the evidence towards it fascinating and convincing. It is very necessary and I appreciate it. It was a great experience. It is a privilege to learn and understand a scientific explanation for the origin of biodiversity and a much more believable explanation than any religious propositions. I am looking forward to it. I have an interest in learning about it but I do not believe in it! I enjoyed it thoroughly, it was an eye-opener! It explains a lot. I understand it better and its very fascinating. BEFOREAFTER Slide 17 I feel that my personal beliefs and strong faith will contradict what I am taught, but I am willing to be open-minded. BEFORE Its been quite interesting getting different peoples views on things. My opinion of evolution changed (but I still dont agree with). AFTER Slide 18 Educators need to be aware of the challenges facing the understanding of Evolution Actively engage with students preconceptions Relevance to society today Scientific method Workshops for teachers Slide 19 There is grandeur in this view of life, .. from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved. Darwin 1859 Slide 20 Slide 21 Slide 22 Slide 23