Teaching Evolution Workshop

Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE), in conjunction with the University of Oklahoma Biological Station (OUBS) and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH), is organizing a professional development workshop on Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century for Oklahoma high school science teachers and undergraduate and graduate students in science education. The workshop will be held on Saturday September 5, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.

Attendees will receive two books on teaching evolution: Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science, and The Virus and the Whale: Exploring Evolution in Creatures Large and Small. Participants will also earn a certificate of participation for professional development credit. Morning coffee, a light lunch, and museum admission are included in the registration fee. Teachers will have time for a brief tour of the museum including the exhibit “Explore Evolution.” This exhibit was created as a companion experience for your activity book, The Virus and the Whale.

Topics covered will include: The latest developments in evolutionary biology, internet resources on teaching evolution, museum resources and services available for teachers, and dealing with classroom and community controversy. Teachers will have the opportunity to present their favorite lesson plans and discuss any problems they encountered in teaching evolution.

Instructors include Dr. Richard Broughton (Zoology, OU), Dr. Ola Fincke (Zoology, OU), Bob Melton (Science Curriculum Specialist, Putnam City Schools), Roberta Pailes (Education officer, SNOMNH), Dr. Frank Sonleitner (Zoology, OU) and Dr. Victor Hutchison (Zoology, OU).

Cost per person (to cover text materials) will be $25. Deadline for registration and payment of fee will be August 1, 2009. Early registration is advised since places are limited to 30 registrants. Registrants will receive a confirmation letter with maps and additional information by August 15, 2009.

Registration forms and payment information are on-line at: http://www.oklascience.org/teachers.pdf and at www.snomnh.ou.edu. Follow the links from Programs, School Programs, Resources for Teachers, Professional Development Workshops.

To sign up for the Oklahoma Evolution list serve and for many teaching resources, news, events, books, humor, petition on science only in science classes, and much, more see the OESE web site.

Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE)

University of Oklahoma Biological Station (OUBS)

"Teaching About Evolution" Book

"The Virus and the Whale" Book

Dr. Richard Broughton

Dr. Ola Fincke

Dr. Victor Hutchinson

Registration Form (PDF)