Teacher Training Workshops

Presenter Dr. Gregory Forbes of the Evolution Education Institute will lead three workshops exploring the details of evolution for educators in grades 6 - 12. Together, the workshops offer a comprehensive approach to learning about the nature of science, evolutionary science, and the pedagogy for teaching these topics. The workshops provide for an in-depth exchange of ideas, discussion and exploration of teaching activities.

A three part series:

Each session may be taken independently or the three may be combined for graduate credit.

In addition, each workshop provides for an opportunity to preview the Explore Evolution exhibit and learn about Exhibit Museum gallery programs. All participants will receive a copy of the book The Virus and the Whale: Explore Evolution in Creatures Small and Large, as well as many other teaching resources.

University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Teacher Workshop Sequence
Evolution Education Institute
Dr. Gregory Forbes, 4:30-7:30 pm, February 15, 16, and March 15

• These are evening workshops at the Exhibit Museum of Natural History. Dinner, parking permit, and extensive curriculum resources will be provided.
  
• Graduate credit is available for a tuition fee to teachers who attend all three sessions. To register, call (734) 764-0478.
  
• Registration without credit is FREE for Ann Arbor and Plymouth/Canton public school teachers. Funding is available to cover the $50 per workshop fee for teachers of other districts, IF professional development funds are unavailable. For funding questions, call (734) 647-8574.
  
• FREE Field Trips! Book a FREE guided program for grades 7-12 to visit the NSF funded Explore Evolution Gallery. Book soon, as this offer is good only as long as alumni donations are available to cover your fees. (734) 764-0478. (All program fees are waived, but a $10 fee reserves your time slot).

Below is a summary of the workshop schedule.

Workshop I
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
4:30-7:30 Exhibit Museum of Natural History

Module #1- Why Teach Evolution?
An overview of the curriculum framework/science standards for evolution education in Michigan along with a survey of the position statements by national educational, scientific, civil liberties and religious organizations advocating a comprehensive evolution education in our nation’s schools. A survey of public attitudes towards evolution education is also presented. This module provides education professionals with the data that they may require in order to feel confident and enthusiastic in their decision to present evolution as a part of their comprehensive science curriculum. The module would be of particular benefit to administrators, curriculum directors and board members.

Module #2- Evolution Primer
An overview of the basic and unifying principles of scientific evolution. Emphasis is placed upon the nature of science in order to establish an understanding of the context in which evolution is studied and should be taught. This module can be modified for presentation in the classroom.

Museum Visit
A visit through the University of Michigan’s Exhibit Museum to explore the museum’s displays through the lens of evolution. This visit is led by Kira Berman, Exhibit Museum Coordinator/Visitor Programs.

Workshop II
Thursday, February 16, 2006
4:30-7:30 Exhibit Museum of Natural History

Module #3- Evidence In Support of Evolution
A survey of the empirical scientific evidence that evolution occurred in the past and is continuing to this day. Categories of evidence and specific examples are presented that can be used in the classroom at the middle and high school level.

Module #4- Responses to Anti-Evolutionist's Claims
This workshop is designed to provide teachers with scientificallybased responses to the most commonly made claims against scientific evolution and its instruction. Although this module can be easily modified for use in the classroom, its primary intent is for the instructor.

Workshop III
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
4:30-7:30 pm Exhibit Museum of Natural History

Module #5- Evolution: What's the Fuss After 3 1/2 Billion Years?
An examination of the socio-political reasons that evolution education has and continues to be a very controversial topic in education and in the socio-political arena. Topics presented include the relationships between science and religion, obstacles to the acceptance of evolution, public attitudes towards evolution education and the evolution of the anti-evolution movement. This presentation is appropriate for science teachers as well as social studies teachers and general audiences with an interest in the topic.

Module #6- Science, Pseudoscience and Just Plain Nonsense: Helping our Students Tell the Difference
Our students will enter the most scientificallybased society that civilization has ever witnessed. Correspondingly, our students must be able to distinguish between valid science such as evolution and claims masquerading as science such as intelligent design. This module is designed to illustrate how our students can learn to distinguish between genuine scientific conclusions, pseudoscientific claims and just plain nonsense. Strategies are introduced to help students evaluate the validity and robustness of scientific claims in an attempt to make them informed consumers of science.

Module #7- Evolution Education Resources
An introduction to the many resources available to educators interested in incorporating evolution into their curriculum for the first time or expanding existing units. Participants will be introduced to and visit a variety of websites that provide complete lesson plans along with downloadable instructional materials including exercises and activities for the laboratory, field, classroom and home. In addition to on-line resources, participants will also be introduced to the numerous printed and software resources available.

Barriers to the Acceptance of Evolution
An introduction to the cognitive and contextual factors that influence the acceptance of evolutionary theory and faith-based belief systems. This session will be presented by Dr. Margaret Evans of the University of Michigan’s Center for Human Growth & Development Research.