Encyclopedia of Science

[InfoJunkies]

Hi,

I've only taught Biology 1 year and I'm still struggling with this question. What do you do when you're teaching evolution theory in a public school setting, and students ask what [b]your[/b] beliefs are about Creationism vs. Evolution. During class, I've stated that my beliefs are private to myself - that seems the safest approach, though not very courageous.

I would really like to be able to discuss the issue one-on-one with interested students, but I'm very concerned that parents might see any type of discussion as either promoting my own beliefs or trying to negate theirs. What do you think about stating your beliefs to students, either in class or in private?

[dbsf]

First of all, congratulations on teaching science, it's a field short of dedicated people with a commitment to excellence for our children.
Second, you need to use more precise language when teaching, particularly when it comes to as reactive a subject as evolution.
For example, using the word 'belief' is inconsistent with an understanding of the process of evolution, in all it's forms (which includes such diverse, non-biological processes as erosion, oxidation, weather...)
In other words: Do you 'believe' in the sun?

One doesn't 'believe' in evolution, one OBSERVES evolution, much as one observes, through various senses, all of the processes around us that make up the world we experience.

By removing 'belief' from the discussion you effectively remove a substantial argument framework that results in the kind of quagmire most people get stuck in when trying to resolve the issue. Belief is a self held, self justifying concept, the antithesis of the best of what science has to offer.

To deny one's own observations is to deliberately draw the blindfold of ignorance over one's eyes, and that is everyone's choice, certainly, but not one that should be supported in any educational system.

The fact is that humans are innate scientists, built to use their god given sensed to observe and come to grips with their natural world, whether they're children on a beach playing with sand and water or scientists in a laboratory looking at the smallest bits of matter orbiting inside a cyclotron; both are fulfilling that which makes them human.

I believe you can teach this; there must be something that drove you to become a teacher that resonates with the common sense of this idea.
Good luck!
david