TEACH EVOLUTION LEARN SCIENCE Why Evolution Education Matters The Federation of American Societies...
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Transcript of TEACH EVOLUTION LEARN SCIENCE Why Evolution Education Matters The Federation of American Societies...
TEACH EVOLUTION LEARN SCIENCE
Why Evolution Education Matters
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Evolution Education Matters
Evolution is one of the most thoroughly studied and supported concepts in science
Evolution is the foundation of biology
Evolution is the only scientific explanation for the diversity of life
Evolution is critical for understanding and advancing medicine
What is Science?“Science is a particular way of knowing about the world
In science, explanations are restricted to those that can beinferred from confirmable data--the results obtained throughobservations and experiments that can be substantiated byother scientists
Anything that can be observed or measured is amenable toscientific investigation
Explanations that cannot be based on empirical evidence are not
a part of science
-Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science
The National Academy of Sciences (1998)
What is Evolution? Process by which the diversity of life on
earth developed over time from common ancestors
Over time, the genetic makeup of a population changes, resulting in changes in the distribution of characteristics in that population
These changes result in differences within
species (microevolution) as well as the emergence of new species (microevolution)
Charles Darwin
Evolution is Science! Evolution is one of the most thoroughly studied
concepts in the biological sciences
Evolution is based on volumes of scientific evidence obtained through experimentation and observation of the natural world
Evolutionary principles have been rigorously tested using the scientific method
Evolution is accepted by the scientific community as the only scientific account for the diversity of species
Evolution is a Critical Topic in Science Education
“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” -Theodosius Dobzhansky
Preeminent geneticist,
Theodosius Dobzhansky
©A
mer
ican
Mus
eum
of
Nat
ural
His
tory
Evolution is the Foundation of Biology
Evolution is a unifying concept in the life sciences
It connects and provides a framework forunderstanding the various disciplines in biology, frombotany to genetics to physiology and beyond
Evolution is the Foundation of Biology
Evolution accounts for the diversity of life…Evolutionary mechanisms, including genetic mutation, migration of species, genetic drift, and natural selection, give rise to variation within species as well as to the rich array of distinct species.
The Beak of the Finch: Natural Selection In Action
In the Galapagos Islands, finches evolved a variety of beak types adapted forcracking open different kinds of seeds.
Changes in weather patterns have been shown to change the kinds of seedsavailable—for example during drought, tough seeds that are difficult to crackare more abundant than soft seeds.
Finches with large beaks adapted for eating these hard seeds are more likelyto survive and reproduce than other finches.
These finches become more abundant compared to those withsmall beaks.
Evolution is the Foundation of Biology
Evolution accounts for the diversity of life…Evolutionary mechanisms, including genetic mutation, migration of species, genetic drift, and natural selection, give rise to variation within species as well as to the rich array of distinct species.
Systematic change in organisms over time…The fossil record shows the emergence and disappearance of species over time as well as “intermediary” or “transitional” forms between species.
Intermediary Forms are Evidence for Evolution
Archaeopteryx- Dinosaur and bird features
Tiktaalik-Features of both fish and land-dwelling animals
Australopithecus-Great ape and modern human features
Model by Tyler KiellorPhoto by Kalliopi Monoyios
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Paleonanthropologist Donald Johanson and skeleton of the Australopithecus Afarensis fossil, “Lucy,” he discovered in 1974
Evolution is the Foundation of Biology
Evolution accounts for the diversity of life…Evolutionary mechanisms, including genetic mutation, migration of species, genetic drift, and natural selection, give rise to variation within species as well as to the rich array of distinct species.
Systematic change in organisms over time…The fossil record shows the emergence and disappearance of species over time as well as “intermediary” or “transitional” forms.
And the similarities among living thingsThe process of evolution has produced an astounding diversity of species! Yet organisms from yeast to worms to humans have striking similarities as a result of having descended from common ancestors.
Similarities Among Species Indicate Common Descent
The Building Blocks of Life All life is made of essentially the same basic materials. All species are remarkably alike at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels, and all use DNA as the basic mechanism of heredity.
Similarities Among Species Indicate Common Descent
The Building Blocks of Life All life is made of essentially the same basic materials. All species are remarkably alike at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels, and all use DNA as the basic mechanism of heredity.
Biological development The developmental stages through which a diverse array of organisms pass and the genes that control these stages are similar.
Similarities Among Species Indicate Common Descent
The Building Blocks of Life All life is made of essentially the same basic materials. All species are remarkably alike at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels, and all use DNA as the basic mechanism of heredity.
Biological development The developmental stages through which a diverse array of organisms pass and the genes that control these stages are similar.
Structural AnatomyCommon ancestry has resulted in remarkable similarities or homologies in the skeletal structures of animals as different as frogs, birds, and humans.
Structural Homologies
©UC Museum of Paleontology's Understanding Evolution
Evolution is Still Happening!
Insects evolve resistance to pesticides
New strains of influenza emerge
Disease-causing microbes develop resistance to antibiotics
Living things, including plants, birds, insects, and mammals adapt to climate change
©Phil SloderbeckEuropean Corn Borer
Understanding Evolution, Advancing Medicine
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Evolutionary biology has played an important role in explaining the origin and transmission of HIV, the variation in virus types, and the development of appropriate treatments.
Understanding Evolution, Advancing Medicine
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Evolutionary biology has played an important role in explaining the origin and transmission of HIV, the variation in virus types, and the development of appropriate treatments.
Avian Influenza Developing computer models of the evolution of avian flu and other viruses may allow scientists to predict how quickly they may spread, aiding the development of preparedness plans.
Understanding Evolution, Advancing Medicine
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Evolutionary biology has played an important role in explaining the origin and transmission of HIV, the variation in virus types, and the development of appropriate treatments.
Avian Influenza Developing computer models of the evolution of avian flu and other viruses may allow scientists to predict how quickly they may spread, aiding the development of preparedness plans.
Genetic Markers of Disease Researchers are using the principles of evolution to examine genetic mutations that may account for increased risk of acquiring certain diseases. These has led to the discovery of genetic markers for Alzheimer’s and coronary artery disease.
Evolution is Not Controversial Among
Scientists
There are No Scientific “Alternatives” to Evolution
Creationism and other non-scientific beliefs:
Do not rely on natural explanations of phenomena
Are not based on observation or experimentation
Do not generate testable predictions
Are not accepted by the scientific community as explanations for the diversity of life
Support Evolution Education
Support the inclusion of evolution in science curriculaand education standards
Oppose teaching non-scientific alternatives to evolution,including intelligent design and other forms ofcreationism
Oppose “teach the controversy,” “critical analysis,” and other proposals that weaken evolution education
Support Evolution Education
Write to your local newspapers
Communicate with your policy makers
Serve as a resource for science teachers
Testify at school board meetings
For More Information Please Visit:
www.evolution.FASEB.org