Talking Evolution: Darwin Day 2018

  This week, I am heading to the beautiful and historic city of Savannah, Georgia, to present about “Challenges and Successes in Teaching Evolution” at the Southeastern Evolutionary Perspectives Society Conference (SEEPS). The timing of this conference is no mistake. As science teachers and university researchers gather in Savannah, we do so on the weekend closest to Charles Darwin’s birthday on February 12. This year … Continue reading Talking Evolution: Darwin Day 2018

How Flowering Plants Conquered the World

SCIENCE Scientists think they have the answer to what Charles Darwin called an “abominable mystery”: How flowers evolved and spread to become the dominant plants on Earth. (BBC) Get this game to teach young students basic botany. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research digs into the genetics of flowering plants. What are flowering … Continue reading How Flowering Plants Conquered the World

Talking Evolution – The Challenge of Influenza – Part 2

In my previous post, I detailed the nature of the influenza virus and its impact on personal health. In this post, we’ll look at how and why this virus is such a challenge for humanity. Despite prodigious advancements in medical care as well as vaccine technology, we still face yearly health hazards from seasonal influenza, as well as the generational threat from occasional influenza pandemics. … Continue reading Talking Evolution – The Challenge of Influenza – Part 2

Talking Evolution: Are We Still Evolving?

As a biology teacher who is a passionate proponent of teaching evolution as the backbone of my classes, I constantly get bombarded by students with tons of evolution questions. I do a lot of work correcting their misconceptions and clarifying some of the more nuanced aspects of evolutionary theory. YES, evolution IS a theory and here’s why that is a GOOD thing. Perhaps my favorite … Continue reading Talking Evolution: Are We Still Evolving?

T. Rex’s Tiny Arms May Have Been Vicious Weapons

SCIENCE The tiny arms of a Tyrannosaurus rex may have been strong enough to slash prey at close quarters. (National Geographic) What else are we learning about T. rex anatomy? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Nat Geo article says the general consensus is that Tyrannosaurus rex’s arms were a vestigial feature. What is … Continue reading T. Rex’s Tiny Arms May Have Been Vicious Weapons