There has been a lot of news today about Creationism rearing its ecumenical head again, especially here in Florida. As already reported on by Darksyde several counties have already made their move to have creationism put into the curriculum. Blast Off!, a great Florida progressive blog, has more on this, in particular regarding Baker and Taylor Counties. As Baker county is adjacent to my home county, Duval, I can report to you there are noises being made here as well regarding the introduction of "intelligent design" into the curriculum.
As a 10th grade World History teacher here in Duval County I've already decided that whatever happens I will refuse to even mention "intelligent design" in my classroom as an alternative to Darwinian theories. Though it is not included in the curriculum I have been asked about it in class. The curriculum begins with pre-historic man, about 10,000 years B.C. (or B.C.E. if you prefer) and moves forward from there.
Some of the questions I've dealt with from the students include the "it's just a theory" meme. The problem here is everyone's definition of the word "theory." It's misunderstood definition and usage contributes heavily to this debate:
Main Entry: the·o·ry
Pronunciation: \ˈthē-ə-rē, ˈthir-ē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural the·o·ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theōria, from theōrein
Date: 1592
5: a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena <the wave theory of light>
I usually make the explanation even more simple than that by telling them its the best scientific explanation given with the current data we have on hand to explain a phenomena. Then I give them an example. I tell them based on this explanation, the theory of gravity is the best example I can offer. Then I issue them a challenge that if one would like to prove its "only a theory by jumping off the highest building in town please feel free to disprove it.
Since I usually don't have any takers I then give them the pharmaceutical example about medications. I explain to them that Darwinian science goes into the reserach and development of medication. I explain the "take two pills a day for seven days" example and explain to them what happens if they take a three week period to take the medication instead of the prescribed seven days and the consequences. If the medication is to help kill an infection I explain to them how the infection will become immune to the medication, or mutate into a more resistent form as a microcosim of the Darwinian principle as cells continue to divide and the selection process takes place where stonger and more resistent cells are reproduced at a greater rate.
I usually end it by saying if you don't believe in evolution, then don't go to the hospitial where it is utilized on a daily basis. Teaching intelligent design, which is nothing more than a code word for "creationism" does an incredible diservice to the intellectual growth of my students. If told to include intelligent design in the future, I will refuse to do so unless my administrator is standing in the classroom watching me. It is only then I will comply. Giving my students a strike before they even walk out of my classroom and prepare for a college education is not an option for me.
TrumanDem
Truman's Conscience