August 20, 2009 Back To School! 


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Einstein
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."

-Albert Einstein
US (German-born) physicist
(1879 - 1955)



New Horizons - Teaching "All Sides"

Earthrise from Apollo 8Analyze and Evaluate


The new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in science have been described as world class.  They move education from memorizing one side of scientific explanations (stage 1) to understanding both (or "all sides") of scientific explanations (stage 4), via teaching all sides and actively encouraging critical thinking through analyzing and evaluating claims.

In effect now, every high school science curriculum includes the requirement specified in what is referred to as "TEKS 3A".  The "as adopted" language of 3 and 3A currently read:

(3) Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom. The student is expected to:

(A) in all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student;(1)


Additionally, while the above is contained in every science TEKS, other specific subject TEKS (astronomy, biology, physics, etc.) that could serve to awaken bored students to numerous unsolved mysteries in various fields of science.  Some examples are:

Earth and Space Science - Origin of Life - This new section requires discussion of the origin of life, specifically in the currently understood context of the stunning complexity of the cell.  Section 13(F) expects students to:

(F) discuss scientific hypotheses for the origin of life by abiotic chemical processes in an aqueous environment through complex geochemical cycles given the complexity of living systems.(2)


The origin of life issue, or how one gets SignatureInTheCellfrom dead chemicals to living cells remains a daunting challenge to neo-Darwinism.  Extremely complex and coordinating structures, like the nuclear DNA code, the transcription process, the messenger DNA traveling outside the cell nucleus to "do work", and the ribosomes to read the code and produce proteins from it, not to mention the raw materials for the proteins or the information contained in the DNA code, are examples.  This problem of extreme complexity in functional systems is akin to having to produce a self-reproducing computer-controlled robotic machine and the required power systems and software to make it all work, all by random and purposeless events!  Dr. Meyer addresses this in Signature in the Cell (SITC), which we mentioned last month.(3)  A biologically correct animation of this complexity in the cells of living systems can be viewed at http://www.signatureinthecell.com (lower right), or http://www.strengthsandweaknesses.org/Signature.video.html

Biology - Evolution - The old biology TEKS was not specific with regards to teaching evolution.  In this new TEKS, Biology section 7 is devoted entirely to key tenets of evolution, all under the overriding umbrella of 3A.  This specifically includes students being expected to "analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations" by "examining all sides" of the scientific evidence.

For example, Biology 7 requires discussion of three types of family tree evidences, often discordant with each other.  Subpart (A) states students are expected to:

(A) analyze and evaluate how evidence of common ancestry among groups is provided by the fossil record, biogeography, and homologies, including anatomical, molecular, and developmental; (4) [underline added]


Biology 7 goes on to specify learning about three aspects of the fossil record, only one of which supports current Darwinian explanations.  Subpart (B) states students are expected to:

(B) analyze and evaluate scientific explanations concerning any data of sudden appearance, stasis, and sequential nature of groups in the fossil record;(5)  [underline added]


Importantly, Biology 7(G) expects students to:

(G) analyze and evaluate scientific explanations concerning the complexity of the cell.(6)


Note: Dr. Stephen Meyer, who assisted the SBOE in formulating these new standards, addresses part (G) directly as a major challenge to current neo-Darwinian theory in several chapters of SITC.  See below.

In all of the key tenets of Darwinism, the specific TEKS requires not just rote learning and regurgitation, but rather, that the student "analyze and evaluate", again under the overriding umbrella of TEKS 3A.

Importantly, please note that most textbooks currently in schools do NOT cover these new TEKS.  Hence, good teachers will need to bring supplementary materials to class to do so.  We would suggest you check http://www.textaddons.com for clear page-by-page additional information, keyed to specific textbook publishers and specific year of publication, by specific page numbers.  We might also recommend Explore Evolution, which looks at different scientific views of key tenets of evolution, at least for satisfying many of these new evolution-related TEKS.  That and several other recommended books and videos are highlighted on our website.

Please encourage your teachers and local school boards to adequately address these and other new aspects of the TEKS.  They are in effect today, but enforcement, ultimately, lies with parents and voters.

Let's help this school year get off to a great start.  We commend the Texas SBOE for getting science courses back on track to being interesting adventures in searching for the truth about our world, wherever those searches lead.

Very truly yours,


TBSE Volunteers

PS:  We are redoing our website as well.  Check it out when you can at http://www.strengthsandweaknesses.org.  It has teacher resources, book and DVD recommendations, and more.  Let us know what you think and what else may be helpful to you.

(1) Science TEKS, as approved and immediately effective on March 27, 2009, in each of the disciplines of science sections.
(2) Science TEKS, Earth and Space Science, section 13(F).
(3) Dr. Stephen Meyer, Signature in the Cell, Harper One, 2009.  (More info below).
(4) Science TEKS, Biology, section 7(A).
(5) Science TEKS, Biology, section 7(B).
(6) Science TEKS, Biology, section 7(G).

Hubble.NASA.Apollo17
PS:  Some selected Apollo 11 videos are located at http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11/index1.html. The "Apollo 11's 35th Anniversary" is a nice montage, (after clicking "Apollo 11 Video Gallery" at the bottom of the linked page's home intro).


Apollo 17 landing site as viewed from the Hubble Space Telescope

 

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What is the origin of INFORMATION in DNA?

Author Dr. Stephen Meyer was one of three experts chosen recently by the Texas State Board of Education who openly discussed  significant scientific flaws in Darwinist dogma, helping to craft the new Texas science standard which specifies in part that students, "...analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student..."  (from the Texas High School Science Standards here.)

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New Book Shifts Paradigm for Science:
Signature in the Cell Makes Strong Scientific Case for Intelligent Design


Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design
by philosopher of science Dr. Stephen C. Meyer arrives just as the information age is coming to biology and scientists are delving deeper into the mystery of the origins of life.  In Signature in the Cell Dr. Meyer lays out a radical new and comprehensive argument for intelligent design which materialist scientists cannot counter. Signature.in.the.Cell

National Academy of Sciences member Dr. Phillip Skell calls Signature in the Cell "a decisive case based upon breathtaking and cutting-edge science," and Alastair Noble, former BBC Education Officer, says it's a "'must read' for all serious students of the origin-of-life debate."

Click here to visit the site, where you can watch the trailer, read reviews, find out about upcoming events, and more.


Free Preview: Click here to download a free excerpt from the book.

SITC Praised. Scientists and scholars are weighing in about SITC and praising the book as "elegantly written" and "intellectually stimulating."

Read more reviews here.


Author Talks. Be sure to tune into ID The Future for a series of interviews with Dr. Meyer about his research and the writing of Signature in the Cell.

Video Trailer. Watch a trailer for the book and share it with your friends.

Buy Now. You can order the book at Amazon.com by clicking here and save 34% off the cover price.


Thank you!

TBSE Volunteers
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Recent recommended books...


Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design by Stephen Meyer by HarperOne

Hardcover ~ List Price: $28.99  Amazon Price: $18.05 Buy Now

e-books Kindle Edition ~  List Price: $28.99 / Amazon Price: $15.94 Buy Now