Knowledge and Acceptance of Evolutionary Theory among Students Pursuing a Masters of Science Education Degree David Allan, DPM

Charles Darwin 1859: Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection is published A debate began between the scientific community which generally supports the Theory of evolution and religious groups who believe in a special creation by a supreme being.

1859: Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection is published

A debate began between the scientific community which generally supports the Theory of evolution and religious groups who believe in a special creation by a supreme being.

Theodisius Dobzhansky (1973) “ Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”

“ Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”

Why is this issue important? Evolution is the unifying concept in the life sciences Students may leave high school unprepared for the more rigorous science curriculum

Evolution is the unifying concept in the life sciences

Students may leave high school unprepared for the more rigorous science curriculum

Are students prepared for the more rigorous college science curriculum? Studies enrolling high school students are rare I encountered difficulty in obtaining permission to conduct research in public high schools

Studies enrolling high school students are rare

I encountered difficulty in obtaining permission to conduct research in public high schools

Gender of Participants

Level of Education of Participants

Age of Participants

School Setting of Participants

Ethnicity of Participants

Questions regarding knowledge of evolution theory Average: 88.9% correct responses Range: 33.3 (66.7% to 100%) Mean: 88.9%

Average: 88.9% correct responses

Range: 33.3 (66.7% to 100%)

Mean: 88.9%

Attitudes toward evolution theory All participants indicated that they learned about evolution theory in school. All participants indicated that they believe evolution theory is true. All participants indicated that evolution theory does not conflict with what they have learned outside of school

All participants indicated that they learned about evolution theory in school.

All participants indicated that they believe evolution theory is true.

All participants indicated that evolution theory does not conflict with what they have learned outside of school

Question 2 2. According to modern evolutionary theory, new traits that help a species survive in a particular environment will generally a. increase in frequency b. decrease in frequency c. not change in frequency d. increase and decrease unpredictably in frequency

2. According to modern evolutionary theory, new traits that help a species survive in a particular environment will generally

a. increase in frequency

b. decrease in frequency

c. not change in frequency

d. increase and decrease unpredictably in frequency

Question 2

Limitations Small sample size Sample is not random

Small sample size

Sample is not random

Future Research Drop or modify Question 2 Ask teachers their area of concentration Conduct research enrolling high school students

Drop or modify Question 2

Ask teachers their area of concentration

Conduct research enrolling high school students