Downloads

Copyright Notice- By downloading any of the materials from this site, you agree to the following:
The content of this electronic or print media is provided for in-class instructional use in public and private schools at the under-graduate level.  This material may not be used for publication or transmission in any media or presentation outside of the instructional classroom.  This material may not be presented at professional conferences, workshops, in-service programs or any other forum excluding under-graduate classroom use . For uses not listed above, written permission must first be obtained from the copyright holder.

Natural Selection (Executable program)
This program provides a demonstration of how the random process of genetic variation can result in the evolution of new forms as long as there exists a non-random process (natural selection) that acts upon this randomly produced genetic variation.  This computer program addresses the common anti-evolutionist's assertion that "...there is no chance that a chimp sitting at a keyboard and randomly striking keys could produce a work of Shakespeare; therefore random genetic variation alone could never result in the development of a new species."  Such statements demonstrate a misunderstanding of the process of evolution.  The evolution of new forms requires two important events: 1) randomly produced genetic variation  2) the very non-random process of natural selection that acts upon this genetic diversity to select against those individuals not adapted to the present environment thereby favoring those that are adapted.  This program randomly generates alpha-numeric characters.  Acting upon these randomly generated characters is a program that selects for the correct sequence of characters that will produce the Shakespearean phrase "To be or not to be".   When presented correctly, the program demonstrates how random variation can produce very complex structures when acted upon by a very non-random selection system.   It is important to read the "Instructor's Presentation Notes" prior to using this program in the classroom.
Download

Evolution & the Nature of Science Facts & Fallacies (Student Exercise)
This exercise can be used to test the student's understanding of the nature of science and evolution.  The exercise can be used both before and after their introduction (pre & post-test) to these important topics.  Testing the students before their introduction to these topics allows both the student and instructor to gauge the respective level of student familiarity with these topics.  It is important to read the "Instructor's Presentation Notes" prior to using this program in the classroom.
Student Pretest Download
Student Test Download
Student Post-test (Answers) Download

Hominoid Evolution/Gradualism (Student Exercise)
This exercise can be used to demonstrate the concept of 1) gradualism 2) hominoid evolution 3) comparative anatomy 4) interpretation of the fossil record 5) assumption made in interpreting fossil evidence 6) the importance of multivariate analysis.
This exercise requires access to either hominoid skulls of various species or illustrations/photos of hominoid skulls (downloadable from www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/lessons/hom.draw.html   It is important to read the Instructor's Answer Key prior to the administration of this exercise.
Student Exercise Download
Instructor's Answer Key Download
Exercise Data Sheet Download
Skull Comparison Graphic Download

Lecture/Workshop PowerPoint® & Camtasia® (Password Required)

Copyright Notice- By downloading any of the materials from this site, you agree to the following:
The content of this electronic or print media is provided for in-class instructional use in public and private schools at the under-graduate level.  This material may not be used for publication or transmission in any media or presentation outside of the instructional classroom.  This material may not be presented at professional conferences, workshops, in-service programs or any other forum excluding under-graduate classroom use . For uses not listed above, written permission must first be obtained from the copyright holder.

Lecture/Workshop Attended (Password Required)
ACLU
All Souls Unitarian Church
American Geoscience Teachers Association
Chautauqua/Dayton University
Freethought Association
Grand Rapids Community College
Miami University
Michigan Science Leadership Assoc.
Michigan Science Teachers Association
Michigan State University- PROMSE
National Science Education Leadership Assoc.
University of Michigan