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Investigating Evolutionary Biology in the Labratory
Edited by William F. McComasMarch, 2009
In Investigating Evolutionary Biology in the Laboratory, William F. McComas writes that evolution is "the most important, most misunderstood, and most maligned concept in the syllabus - if it even appears in the syllabus."
McComas wrote the book's introductory sections, which
engagingly explain the science of evolution and the challenges of teaching this
core principle of biology. These chapters are also a valuable resource for
parents and others concerned about science education. In a succinct account of
the development of understanding of evolution by Darwin and other scientists,
McComas suggests that studying the actual history of the theory would teach
students more about science in general and evolution in particular than the
myths employed by most textbooks.
McComas assembled a host of scholars with rich research and classroom experience to write chapters that examine legal issues, review teaching strategies and present laboratory activities. He begins by establishing the centrality of evolution to modern biology.
"Without evolution, biology would simply be little more than a kind of 'natural history stamp collecting,'" he said.