ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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About 12 years ago we did surveys of teachers in Idaho to see what their perception of the Idaho Museum of Natural History was. Among many other things they told us that the museum was neutral ground where they could expose their students to concepts like evolution by natural selection without being blamed. They told us they would not bring evolution into their classrooms. Not because most parents were against evolution, but because of the trouble that one or two 'extremist' parents could cause them.

So, let's keep providing that "neutral ground" especially in these days where state budgets are tight and teacher's jobs are more at risk...




Dr. Stefan Sommer
Director, Colorado Plateau Biodiversity Center, http://www.mpcer.nau.edu/cpbc
Executive Producer, A River Reborn, http://www.mpcer.nau.edu/riverreborn
Board of Directors, Assoc. of Academic Museums & Galleries, http://www.aamg-us.org
Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences
Northern Arizona University
Campus Box 5640
Flagstaff, AZ  86011

O: (928) 523-4463
F: (928) 523-7500

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________________________________________
From: Informal Science Education Network [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Stefania Van Dyke [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 10:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Only 28% of surveyed teachers teach evolution, AGAIN.

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

There was a special issue of the Museums & Social Issues journal a few
years ago focused on the topic "Museums and the Public Understanding of
Evolution" that may be of interest to list members. You can find more
about the issue by following this link, but I've also posted the table
of contents below because it's so relevant to this thread and what
museum professionals can do to educate the public and facilitate
discussion about evolution. Thanks!

https://lcoast.sslcert19.com/journal_issue.php?id=93

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