assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies

Well, it's a good thing there isn't a scientific controversy except in the minds of religious nutjobs.

bulldg4life: assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies

Well, it's a good thing there isn't a scientific controversy except in the minds of religious nutjobs.

I think the statement begs the question. When one side is science and the other is not, I don't think you can properly call it a "scientific controversy."

It's a social/cultural controversy, and as such, has no place in the science classroom.

On the face of it, that sounds like a good bill. This could really blow up in the creationists faces.

"...help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught."

That would be great, it'd show creationism as the steaming pile of garbage that it is. Unfortunately they'd take this to mean discussing bananas and peanut butter rather than discussing any of the myriad experiments that support the theory of evolution.

Nice try, Okies, but you still have a ways to go to take away Kansas' title as the most ass-backwards fundies to weigh in on the evolution issue. You're still in the running for the title of most ass-backwards wingnuts in general, though, with Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming offering you your only real competition.

Hopefully they'll teach the "controversy" of a flat earth in geography class, the "controversy" of the Holocaust hoax in history class, and the "controversy" of the four humours in biology class.

OOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma where the idiocy comes sweeping down the plains.

To be fair, there's not much evidence of evolution in Oklahoma amongst its denizens.

YIPPEEE! Now I won't be able to go to college, because my state lost its' academic accreditation.

Will religious fundies ever stop farking with stuff they don't understand? They're once again using the 21st century fundies' backdoor method of trying to push creationism into science class. Pretend there's a scientific controversy and then try to require teachers to teach it. Because if there is a controversy, who can object to teaching both sides?

Ignorant farks.

kronicfeld: Hopefully they'll teach the "controversy" of a flat earth in geography class,

There is no flat earth controversy. That's a myth.

/Pet peeve

kronicfeld: Hopefully they'll teach the "controversy" of a flat earth in geography class, the "controversy" of the Holocaust hoax in history class, and the "controversy" of the four humours in biology class.

And Heliocentrism! It's time to employ some "academic freedom" to teach the poor heathen students about that as well.

oldfarthenry: ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
ooooOOOOOklahoma, where IQ's go spiralin' down the drain
And the wavin' freeps can smell fresh meat
When the left tries to educate the brain.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

.

I have no problem with teaching creationism in public schools, AS LONG AS it's taught in a Social Studies classroom and incorporates creation myths from both Christianity and other religions (Hindu, Shinto, Muslim, ancient religions, and so forth).

In Oklahoma's defense, I suppose it's not surprising that they oppose evolution education. Have you ever met anyone from Oklahoma? They're not exactly the most shining examples of it, so there's a distinct lack of available evidence from which to make an informed conclusion.

Ahh, "Academic Freedom." The idea that any student (or, more accurately, that student's lawyer and pastor) should never have to hear an idea that contradicts said student's "beliefs."

Keep your filthy phlogiston away from me, professor! Only my prayers to Prometheus can ignite this diesel!

MaxxLarge: In Oklahoma's defense, I suppose it's not surprising that they oppose evolution education. Have you ever met anyone from Oklahoma? They're not exactly the most shining examples of it, so there's a distinct lack of available evidence from which to make an informed conclusion.

There is a reason that you are a fave
It is your limericks, however, I crave
While you post was all reason
This just isn't the season
So make with the rhyming my knave

As long as they teach this, I suppose it won't be to bad.

OOOOOOOklahoma, the San Francisco treat!

Well, the good news is, at least they're being upfront about it. That way, I know what states are openly ignorant about education against trying to find the closet case ones.

So, for a while after Kansas did this, I worked at the admissions office for a large very well known, highly ranked technical college in the northeast.

People who went to Kansas Public Schools had an automatic black mark next to them. Please Oklahoma, do this. It makes it easier for smart kids to get into college.

I hate oklahoma. Of all the places I've lived, it's seriously the worst. I'm not surprised at this though, my son did first grade there and I got to have a nice "discussion" with his teacher about the 10 commandments she had posted, as that had just been allowed that year. Told her, I really don't care what you put up, but don't even THINK about teaching them to him. Fortunately she was fairly reasonable and it wasn't an issue. Actually she was the best teacher in the school.

Otherwise, they didn't nickname 'em Okie-dopie's for nothing. NEVER have I seen so many idiots and ignorant morons in one place. The stories I could tell...

what_now: So, for a while after Kansas did this, I worked at the admissions office for a large very well known, highly ranked technical college in the northeast.

People who went to Kansas Public Schools had an automatic black mark next to them. Please Oklahoma, do this. It makes it easier for smart kids to get into college.


If video games (and history) have taught me anything, it is that while Fundamentalists have impaired abilities to research new technologies on their own, they have no problem stealing and adapting that new technology if it proves beneficial to their cause.

All those that say these individuals will just fall by the wayside due to their lack of science education are mistaken.

//Thanks Sid Meier

The Bible is not a textbook. End of story.

meat0918: All those that say these individuals will just fall by the wayside due to their lack of science education are mistaken.

No. But they won't be getting into Cal Tech or MIT.

meat0918: If video games (and history) have taught me anything, it is that while Fundamentalists have impaired abilities to research new technologies on their own, they have no problem stealing and adapting that new technology if it proves beneficial to their cause.

Indeed. New antibiotics protect their lives as effectively as they protect the lives of those who understand and accept scientific principles.

what_now: meat0918: All those that say these individuals will just fall by the wayside due to their lack of science education are mistaken.

No. But they won't be getting into Cal Tech or MIT.

Ah well, there's always Liberty or Bob Jones.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how this thing evolv....turns out.

In before Bevets's wharrgarbl.

Oklahoma? The only state that had every single county for vote McCain?

I'm sure it is a coincedence

zymurgist: Ah well, there's always Liberty or Bob Jones.

Great. Let them go there. Let it be known that if you want to hire a scientist or an engineer, you're hiring one who thinks Jesus is the answer to all tricky calculus problems.

what_now: zymurgist: Ah well, there's always Liberty or Bob Jones.

Great. Let them go there. Let it be known that if you want to hire a scientist or an engineer, you're hiring one who thinks Jesus is the answer to all tricky calculus problems.

I thought they only pumped out Political Science majors and lawyers?

I couldn't resist, and look at the curriculim of the the biology education major at Bob Jones University.

From the page"General Biology: This course will give you the basics to understanding currently popular topics in biology, such as genetic engineering, cancer research, AIDS, etc. You will also study a proper Christian philosophy of science, origins, the scientific method, the basic chemistry of biology, the characteristics of living things, the limitations of science, and an introduction to the major topics of cell biology."

Basically, you'll only be able to teach at a parochial school.

How in God's good name are these teachers certified to teach biology in the public school system? (Nevermind, as I cannot find any bit about public school certifications, and only about going on to teach at a Christian school)

meat0918: Basically, you'll only be able to teach at a parochial school.

No. Parochial (Catholic) Schools teach evolution. The nuns have a way of explaining that Genesis is for religion class, but Darwin is for Science class.

another state on the list of those i wish would disappear

If your ideas are unscientific, why not redefine science? The only things the ID movement has going for it is money and lawyers. A deadly combination...

I was going to pick Oklahoma for my pool but it just didn't seem like a natural selection.

what_now: zymurgist: Ah well, there's always Liberty or Bob Jones.

Great. Let them go there. Let it be known that if you want to hire a scientist or an engineer, you're hiring one who thinks Jesus is the answer to all tricky calculus problems.

Hard to build a rotunda in your new office complex when the engineer thinks Pi is exactly 3.

meat0918: How in God's good name are these teachers certified to teach biology in the public school system? (Nevermind, as I cannot find any bit about public school certifications, and only about going on to teach at a Christian school)

My wife has a cousin who sent her kids there in order to avoid the temptations of the secular world. Two have teaching degrees and can not get state certifications in their home state. Instead, they teach at private schools which basically feeds more students into places like Bob Jones. It's the circle of ignorance.

SB 320 would, if enacted, require state and local educational authorities to "assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies" and permit teachers to "help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught." The only topics specifically mentioned as controversial are "biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."

For I am well aware that scarcely a single point is discussed in this volume on which facts cannot be adduced, often apparently leading to conclusions directly opposite to those at which I have arrived. ~ Charles Darwin

Bevets: For I am well aware that scarcely a single point is discussed in this volume on which facts cannot be adduced, often apparently leading to conclusions directly opposite to those at which I have arrived. ~ Charles Darwin

What, no quotes about the theory of gravity?

Isaac Newton was a well-known alchemist and doubted the existence of the Holy Trinity. His theory doesn't explain how gravity manifests itself, which means it must be some occult devil force. Why don't our science classes "teach the controversy?"

Bevets: For I am well aware that scarcely a single point is discussed in this volume on which facts cannot be adduced, often apparently leading to conclusions directly opposite to those at which I have arrived. A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts and arguments on both sides of each question and this is here impossible

FTFY

Spontaneous generation! Teach the controversy!

I think this word "Freedom" does not mean what they think it means.

Sensible education for a dumber tomorrow!

Bevets, I see you've quoted again. You REALLY still think that ANYONE gives a fark about your quotes?

ARGUE YOUR POINT for Christ's sake. If you can't do that then why bother?

Whatever pool Oklahoma is in its clearly not the gene pool.

/Or if it is, someone peed in it.

Before high school, most of my education was through Irish primary school, with ties to the diocese and everything.

If those dirty papist bogtrotters (I'd say "we", but I'm not Catholic anymore) can teach evolution in religious schools, you want me to believe you Okie WASPs are going to teach creationism in your public schools?

It boggles the mind. I'd say GTFO out of my century, but you apparently already have.

Dead for Tax Reasons: another state on the list of those i wish would disappear

Having lived in this state all my life I can attest to that we really do have one of the worst education system in the country. I actually had to pick up my face from the floor when my biology professor (who smokes) claimed cigarette smoking doesn't cause cancer and hasn't been definitely proven.

/Dropped the class a week later