Friday, April 06, 2007

Hearts & Minds

Many, many thanks to all of you who participated in the Friday, 12:30 p.m., session on teaching evolution to religious fundamentalists. I appreciate the sensitivity and honesty you brought to our discussion. (And, you didn't eat me! I'm not sure why I was so nervous, but I really was. Thanks for your kindness.)

Thanks to Don, one of the participants, for the information from AAAS that I've linked here. A couple of people mentioned other resources, but I didn't write those down. If you have them, please post them as a comment (or e-mail them to me).

I look forward to seeing any questions, concerns, or comments you post. Please let me know how the session helped you and any suggestions you have for improving the session in the future. I plan on giving it again at NSTA regionals and nationals, as long as I can find funding for travel. Watch this blog for updates as to when I'll be presenting, and please join me again or send a friend.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I attended your NSTA presentation "Hearts & Minds in the Classroom." I found your approach very close to my own, except I learned a few important lessons. I always share with my students, at the end of the unit, my own reconciliation between my faith and science. I now understand why this is not a good idea. Also, I should acknowledge to them that teaching evolution is difficult for me, not because I do not agree with it, but because I understand the struggle it will cause some of them. I do acknowledge their faith, but probably do not go far enough in letting them know I value faith. The other important thing I gained was how to explain the multiplicity of knowing. It will be very useful to be able to explain this concept.

You mentioned that you will put your powerpoint on the blog if attendees request it. Please do so; I would like to review the points.

Rose Mier
Science Teacher, grades 10-12
Marquand-Zion R-VI School District
Marquand, MO

Lee said...

Rose:

Thanks for your comment. It's good to hear that someone else has stumbled into the same approach that I'm using. That makes me feel like we may be on to something.

I've posted the PowerPoint to my public folder, and I'll leave it there for a couple of weeks. You can dowload it from http://homepage.mac.com/lmeadows/FileSharing14.html . Let me know if that doesn't work for you.

Lee said...

Taking down the PowerPoint now. Please let me know if you need me to put it back up.