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In a message dated 8/3/2005 11:10:56 AM Central Standard Time, 
[log in to unmask] writes:


> I am not certain about your idea of giving it "martyr status". There 
> are lots of "controversial" topics that science teachers do not deal 
> with that are pervasive beliefs in our society. Astrology is a good 
> example. I don't think (but it has been a while since I took 
> astronomy) that astrology is dealt with in astronomy classes. I don't 
> see why science teachers have an obligation (or the time) to counter 
> every cockeyed idea that students might have? Science teachers should 
> teach science and the ways in which science allows us to continually 
> examine and understand our natural world. I think it is for other 
> classes to examine faith based or philosophically based views of the 
> natural world.
> 

I was not talking about being mandated to teach intelligent design as "equal 
to" the theory of evolution.  I meant that we could allow it or encourage it 
to be brought up as a discussion topic.  So often scientists "talk at" their 
audiences and disregard the very real possibility that this audience may have 
very different ideas that work just fine in their every day lives.  

What we need to teach the public more of is the nature of science, the 
concept of scientific theories versus "facts" (evolution is, after all, only the 
best theory we have now.  I am sure that Newton and Einstein would have a few 
words about that!), and the presently accepted manner in which scientific, versus 
faith or philosophical, investigations are carried out 
(although that can sometimes be called in to question as well - just ask the 
drug companies).  

To teach science to the public at large or in a public school classroom is to 
realize that you mainly need to present your audience with the experience of 
using the tools of the different scientific disciplines- biology, chemistry, 
physics, geology, etc.  If we could guide them all to the "correct" answers 
from that point how wonderfully simple life might be (boring, but simpler).

So, would I teach it if they told me to, I guess I would have to.  Would I 
set it on the same plane as evolution.  I guess I would continually educate my 
students on the nature of science and then let them decide :-)

                                           Janine

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