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SPS statement on the subject of evolution and science classroom
instruction education
College
Park, MD (November 10, 2003) - The
2003 SPS
Council, governing body for the Society
of Physics Students and national physics honor society known
as Sigma Pi Sigma, has updated its 1999 statement regarding the
subject of evolution and science classroom instruction (see the
2003 statement and the original 1999 statement below). The impetus
for updating the statement was two-fold—a request from the
National Center
for Science Education to post the 1999 statement on its website
and some recent controversies regarding science textbooks in Texas.
Considerably
more than the required two-thirds of the SPS Council voted for adoption
of the statement. It has now completed the full adoption process
as prescribed by the SPS By-Laws, and can be disseminated publicly.
2003 SPS Statement on Evolution and Science Education
Recently,
some political and educational groups have attempted to undermine
the importance of teaching the concepts of biological and cosmological
evolution, thereby rejecting the consensus of the scientific community.
Ideas about the structure and evolution of the universe, including
Earth and its life forms, are unifying concepts in science. The
development of students' informed views about these concepts is
essential to a knowledge of science. These concepts should therefore
be included and emphasized as a part of science frameworks and curricula
for all students.
The
Society of Physics Students (SPS) recognizes that decisions about
science education standards are the purview of state and local authorities;
however, the position of SPS is that such decisions should involve
education experience and scientific expertise, and be based on the
body of research in science, pedagogy, and cognitive development.
SPS encourages science educators and scientists to participate in
the development of science education standards by involving themselves
in the decision-making processes of state and local school boards.
Printable
PDF Version of the SPS Statement
Contacts regarding this statement include:
Suzanne Nichols, SPS Executive Committee Student Representative
Department of Physics
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Tel: (502) 852-6790
Email: ufpa@hotmail.com
Karen
Williams, SPS President
Dept. of Physics
East Central University
ECU Box D5
Ada, OK 74820
Tel: (580) 310-5394
Email: kwillims@mac.com
Steve
Feller, Sigma Pi Sigma President
Department of Physics
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Tel: (319) 399-8633
Email: sfeller@coe.edu
Gary
White
Director, SPS & Sigma Pi Sigma
Assistant Director of Education
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
Tel: (301) 209-3007
Fax: (301) 209-0839
Email: gwhite@aip.org
The 1999 SPS Statement follows:
A Statement of the Society of Physics Students
Regarding Science Education Standards
In a recent decision, the Kansas State Board of Education removed
biological and cosmological evolution from its state Science Education
Standards, thereby rejecting the consensus of a committee of experienced
Kansas science teachers. Ideas about the structure and evolution
of the universe, including Earth and its life forms, are unifying
concepts in science. The development of students' informed views
about these concepts is essential to a knowledge of science. These
concepts should therefore be included as a part of science frameworks
and curricula for all students.
The
Society of Physics Students (SPS) recognizes that decisions about
science education standards are the purview of state and local authorities;
however, the position of SPS is that such decisions should involve
education experience and scientific expertise, and be based on the
body of research in science, pedagogy, and cognitive development.
SPS encourages science educators and scientists to participate in
the development of science education standards by involving themselves
in the decision-making processes of state and local school boards.
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