My column was published in the Community Voices section of today’s Daytona Beach News Journal: Don’t mix science, religion in public schools. It’s a rebuttal to a previous column written by a Flagler County school board member. She supported the two very bad instructional materials bills currently languishing in the Florida legislature. My piece goes […]
Presentation in Tampa for Darwin Day event
Some last minute scheduling has put me on the agenda for the annual University of South Florida Darwin Day event in Tampa tomorrow (Saturday). I’ll be speaking at the Hillsborough County Schools teacher workshop being held at the Museum of Science and Industry. (The date on that webpage is wrong. The workshop is Saturday, not […]
New review of Going Ape
I was just recently informed that Going Ape was reviewed in the November issue of the Journal of Southern History. Unfortunately, I can’t read the whole thing. I only have access to a portion and I would have to buy a subscription to read the rest. But from what I am able to see, it’s […]
Doing what needs to be done
I’ve spent quite a chunk of Saturday, my only true day off most weeks, diligently fulfilling my duties as communications director for Florida Citizens for Science. There are a couple of bills filed in the state legislature that would change how instructional materials can be reviewed and chosen by school districts. There is a lot of […]
NCSE’s eyes on Florida
The National Center for Science Education has taken note of the instructional materials bills filed in the Florida legislature. Their analysis is thorough, taking note of the many problems the bills have. For instance: “A further provision of the bills is also of concern. Currently, instructional materials used in Florida’s schools must be consistent with […]
Evolution lawsuit in Palm Beach County
“Evolution is a very important topic and its greatest scientific breakthrough ever so I believe it should be taught,” a Florida fifth grader told a West Palm Beach television station reporter. But according to the boy and his father, civil rights attorney Barry Silver, teachers at his school and across the district are purposely dodging […]
Evolution in textbooks targeted
[Note: this is cross-posted from my entry today at Florida Citizens for Science.] The Naples Daily News has a story up about efforts in the Florida legislature to possibly change the way textbooks are reviewed, approved and purchased: Activists look to change “buy” the book procedures Bills in the state House and Senate would change the […]
Boca Raton son and father sue over school’s alleged failure to teach evolution
Two stories have popped up about a possible lawsuit against a Florida school district for not teaching evolution properly. Boca Raton Student Sues District For Failing To Teach Evolution “Evolution is a very important topic and its greatest scientific breakthrough ever so I believe it should be taught,” stated fifth grade student Brandon Silver. Silver, […]
“Not Just a Theory” lesson makes local TV news
The Heritage Middle School lesson about the scientific meaning of the word theory that stirred up a parent made the local TV news last night. WKMG Channel 6 has the story: Parents: Science lesson inappropriate A controversial class assignment has forced a Volusia County school to issue an apology. The lesson has since been pulled from […]
Update to “Not Just a Theory” in Volusia County
A letter was sent out from the principal of Heritage Middle School, Deltona, Florida, concerning an 8th grade science lesson I wrote about in a previous post. The letter was posted on the public Facebook page of the parent who originally complained about the lesson.