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Evolution Resources From the National Academies
Science \sahy-uh ns\, noun: The use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process. |
Reports | Statements | Research Papers on Evolution | Academies' Articles | Other Resources
Reports
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Science, Evolution, and Creationism
This completely updated edition of the landmark booklet Science and Creationism is written for anyone who wants to learn more about the science of evolution. It provides a succinct overview of the many recent advances from the fossil record, molecular biology, and a new field known as evolutionary-developmental biology that have yielded important, new, and overwhelming evidence for evolution. It makes clear that the study of evolution remains one of the most active, robust, and far-reaching fields in all of modern science. [read FREE online]
[FREE Download]
[Sounds of Science Podcast][Public Briefing Podcast]
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Evolution in Hawaii: A Supplement to Teaching About Evolution and the
Nature of Science (2004)
Evolution in Hawaii examines evolution and the nature of science
by looking at a specific part of the world -- the Hawaiian Islands. By focusing on one set of
islands, this book illuminates
the general principles of evolutionary biology and how ongoing research will continue to expand our knowledge of the
natural world. This practical book has been specifically designed to
give teachers and their students an opportunity to gain a deeper
understanding of evolution using exercises with real genetic data
to explore and investigate speciation and the probable order in
which speciation occurred based on the ages of each island.
[read FREE online] [FREE download]
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Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences,
Second Edition (1999)
While the mechanisms of evolution are still under
investigation, scientists universally accept that the cosmos, our
planet, and life evolved and continue to evolve. Yet the teaching
of evolution to schoolchildren is still a contentious issue.
In Science and Creationism, the NAS states unequivocally that creationism has no place in any science
curriculum at any level. Briefly and clearly, this booklet explores
the nature of science,
reviews the evidence for the origin of the universe and Earth,
and explains the current scientific understanding of biological
evolution. This edition includes new insights from astronomy and
molecular biology. [read FREE online] [FREE download]
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Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science (1998)
Written for teachers, parents, and community officials as well as
scientists and educators, this book describes how evolution
reveals both the great diversity and similarity among the Earth's
organisms. It explores how scientists approach the question of
evolution, and illustrates the nature of science as a way of
knowing about the natural world. In addition, the book provides
answers to frequently asked questions to help readers understand
many of the issues and misconceptions about evolution. The book includes sample activities for teaching about evolution
and the nature of science. [read FREE online] [FREE download]
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National Science Education Standards (1996)
A landmark effort that involved thousands of teachers, scientists, science educators, and other
experts across the country, these standards echo the principle that learning science is
an inquiry-based process, that science in schools should reflect
the intellectual traditions of contemporary science, and that all
Americans have a role in improving science education.
This document is invaluable to education policy-makers,
school system administrators, teacher educators, individual
teachers, and concerned parents. [read FREE online] [FREE download]
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The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in
Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution (1990)
The study of planetary biology and chemical evolution
draws together experts in astronomy, paleobiology, biochemistry, and
space science who work together to understand the evolution of living
systems. This field has made exciting discoveries that shed light on how
organic compounds came together to form self-replicating
molecules -- the origin of life. This volume updates that progress and offers recommendations on
research programs -- including an ambitious effort centered on Mars -- to
advance the field over the next 10 to 15 years. [FREE download]
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Statements
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Joint Statement from The National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association regarding the withholding of copyright permission to the Kansas State Board of Education (October 27, 2005)
- Letter to NAS Members from President Bruce Alberts on Evolution Controversy in Our Schools (March 4, 2005)
- Request to NAS and Institute of Medicine Members to Help Counter the Cobb County, Ga., School Board's Actions on the Teaching of Evolution in Public Schools (Sept. 18, 2002)
- Statement of Support for the Kansas Board of Education's Decision to Adopt New Science Standards for K-12 Students (Feb. 14, 2001) from the presidents of NAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and National Science Teachers Association
- Joint Statement from the National Research Council,American Association for the Advancement of Science,and the National Science Teachers Association Regarding the Kansas Science Education Standards (Sept. 23, 1999)
- Statement by NAS President Bruce Alberts on Kansas State Science Curriculum (Aug. 20, 1999)
Research Papers on Evolution
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Sackler Colloquium on Biodiversity and Extinction (2007)
This collection of presentations is from the National Academy of Sciences' Sackler Colloquium on the biodiversity crisis and whether a mass extinction of plants and animals is under way. Leading researchers and students discussed recent discoveries and concepts regarding the global abundance and distribution of biodiversity, and compare these patterns with conditions in the near and distant evolutionary past, as well as with those plausible in the near future. [More Information]
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Sackler Colloquium on Adaptation and Complex Design” (2006)
This colloquium, part of the Arthur M. Sackler series, synthesizes recent scientific findings on the evolutionary origins of complex biological adaptations as well as conceptual approaches to understanding them. [More Information]
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Sackler Colloquium on Systematics and the Origin of the Species” (2004)
The Colloquium celebrated the 100th birthday of the eminent evolutionist Ernst Mayr and the 62nd anniversary of the publication of his Systematics and the Origin of Species (1942), one of the four books often considered as the foundations of the modern theory of evolution. The Colloquium explored the main topics in Mayr's book and examined the same (and related) issues in the light of current science, although the focus was be on speciation, rather than on systematics.
[More Information]
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The Future of Evolution (2000)
This collection of colloquium papers presented by experts in
biology, evolution, genetics, environmental science, and more was
originally published in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences. The volume looks at evolution not just as
history, but as an active agent that will affect our future. [More Information]
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Variation and Evolution in Plants and Microorganisms: Toward a New
Synthesis 50 Years After Stebbins (2000)
This collection of 17 papers marks the 50th anniversary
of the publication of Stebbins' classic. Organized into five sections,
the book covers: early evolution and the origin of cells, viral and
bacterial models, protoctist models, population variation, and trends
and patterns in plant evolution. [read FREE online]
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Tempo and Mode in Evolution: Genetics and Paleontology 50 Years After Simpson
(1995)
The volume examines early cellular evolution, explores changes in the
tempo of evolution between the Precambrian and Phanerozoic periods,
and reconstructs the Cambrian evolutionary burst. Long-neglected
despite Darwin's interest in it, species extinction is discussed in
detail. This book discusses the role of molecular clocks, the results
of evolution in 12 populations of Escherichia coli propagated for
10,000 generations, a physical map of Drosophila chromosomes, and
evidence for "hitchhiking" by mutations. [read FREE online]
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Academies' Articles
Other Resources
Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health
The Koshland Science Museum's Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health exhibit examines impacts of microbial evolution on the spread of disease over the centuries. Visitors can explore characteristics of different bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as the diseases that are caused by many of them both virtually and in-house. Explore the exhibit or visit the Koshland Science Museum on-line.
Infectious Disease Webquest
The Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences has developed a series of materials for middle and high school educators relating evolution to current science. Two of the classroom activities focus on the HIV/AIDS epidemic from both biological and public health angles. Students can also explore the potential of an avian influenza epidemic and develop a suggested public policy campaign through the Infectious Disease webquest. Teachers can also bring students to the museum for a facilitated field trip focusing on Infectious Diseases. [Download the HIV/AIDS curriculum supplements.] [Explore the avian influenza webquest.] [Learn more about the museum's field trip program.]
Science, Evolution, and Creationism Podcast (2005)
Science, Evolution, and Creationism explains the fundamental methods of science, documents the overwhelming evidence in support of biological evolution, and evaluates the alternative perspectives offered by advocates of various kinds of creationism, including "intelligent design." The podcast, from the series Sounds of Science gives a brief over the report, released January 4th.
[Sounds of Science Podcast]
Genesis: The Scientific Quest for Life's Origins (2005)
Life on Earth arose nearly 4 billion years ago, bursting forth from air, water, and rock. Though the process obeyed all the rules of chemistry and physics, the details of that original event pose as deep a mystery as any facing science. How did non-living chemicals become alive? While the question is (deceivingly) simple, the answers are unquestionably complex. Genesis tells the tale of transforming scientific advances in our quest for life's origins. Written with grace, beauty, and authority, it goes directly to the heart of who we are and why we are here. Published by Joseph Henry Press, an imprint of the National Academies Press. The views expressed in this book are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Academies.
[read FREE online]
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