Evolution in Canadian Schools

[Roboramma]

Not really, if schools teach about the theory of evolution but not the theory of intelligent design.

It always seemed to me that at the K-12 level there are obvious workarounds. In science class you learn about the history of science, so why not just state that "Darwin theorized that species developed through a process of natural selection"? That's a fact, even if kids aren't explicitly told, "Darwin was right."

I don't even mind a curriculum saying that "many people disagreed with Darwin, based on their religion, but instead put forth a theory of 'intelligent design' saying species were tailored by a creator." It becomes pretty clear that ID doesn't suggest further lines of inquiry, while Darwinism does.

Why do they need to be taught that? Is it necessary to understanding the science? If not, why include it in a science class?

Sometimes "history of science" is valuable for making the science more interesting, or putting it into a more accessible context, but I don't see how that applies here.

I mean, when we teach the theory of relativity do we need to point out that Anders Lindman thinks it's a conspiracy by shadow powers to hide knowledge of free energy from the public while scaring them with what he thinks is a non-existent nuclear bomb? Personally I think high school science classes are there to teach science, in whatever way they can most efficiently do that.

 

[Caper]

I'm Canadian and I'm pretty sure we studied evolution in school. An I'm sure god wasn't mentioned in class.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Ontario, which was the first province mentioned in this thread, brainiac.

From the OP:

I've done some background checking (ongoing), and this appear to be the case throughout most of Canada. Especially the prairies, where we live.

 

[bikerdruid]

Ontario, which was the first province mentioned in this thread, brainiac.

such venom....is it really necessary?
evolution is certainly taught in schools across canada.
and yes, in ontario too.

 

[D'rok]

Another Albertan here who was taught evolution in Biology class with no mention of God.

 

[bikerdruid]

Another Albertan here who was taught evolution in Biology class with no mention of God.

i went to a catholic high school in calgary from 69 to 72.
althought there was prayer, and religion class, biology was strictly science, complete with evolution.

 

[D'rok]

i went to a catholic high school in calgary from 69 to 72.
althought there was prayer, and religion class, biology was strictly science, complete with evolution.

85 to 88 for me in the St. Albert protestant system. I've been in Ontario for 7 years now and I constantly encounter people who can't shake the conviction that life in Alberta is like a scene from Deliverance. Oh Ontario...you so crazy.

 

[Jono]

I had never heard about Creationism or Intelligent Design until the late 90's.

 

[lopeyschools]

85 to 88 for me in the St. Albert protestant system. I've been in Ontario for 7 years now and I constantly encounter people who can't shake the conviction that life in Alberta is like a scene from Deliverance. Oh Ontario...you so crazy.

Just remind them which provinces are the "have" provinces usually makes them reconsider the west.

 

[Wowbagger]

Send her, and everyone else touting Creationism here:

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01

Show them what the actual science of Evolution is really like, and see if they can refute anything they find on there.

 

[X]

I don't think she was touting Creationism. At least, not the Creationism that most people mean by the term. In fact, I'm not sure she even knew what position she was arguing. Just that one of her profs, who's studying the subject, said creationism was valid science and therefore, being a prof, must be right.

However, it's good to know I was worried over nothing.

 

[Corsair 115]

85 to 88 for me in the St. Albert protestant system. I've been in Ontario for 7 years now and I constantly encounter people who can't shake the conviction that life in Alberta is like a scene from Deliverance. Oh Ontario...you so crazy.

I'd wager there are folks in Alberta who have strange views of what goes on in Ontario.

 

[D'rok]

I'd wager there are folks in Alberta who have strange views of what goes on in Ontario.

Absolutely correct. Especially when it comes to anything to do with Toronto.

 

[bikerdruid]

I'd wager there are folks in Alberta who have strange views of what goes on in Ontario.

and we'd be right.

 

[D'rok]

Milk in bags is just WRONG!

 

[bikerdruid]

Milk in bags is just WRONG!

agreed. they tried that for a while in calgary when i was a kid.
we had more good sense than to accept it.

 

[Lamuella]

Evolution can't explain how life began.

Additionally, history cannot explain the formation of oxbow lakes, and english literature can't explain the political impact of the Louisiana Purchase.

Mathematics is silent on the use of irregular verbs in French.

 

[badnewsBH]

In high school (and probably junior high school, but I don't recall specifics), there was definitely mention of Darwin, ToE, natural selection, genetics, etc. In my world history class, we discussed differing beliefs on the matter (creationism, theistic evolutionism, etc.), and looked at the various human ancestors up to Cro Magnon, if memory serves. That was about 18 to 20 years ago, in Nova Scotia. I'm assuming things haven't changed that much since then.

 

[Corsair 115]

Milk in bags is just WRONG!

Pffft! You and your cartons and jugs of milk!

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Milk in bags is just WRONG!

Funny. That's not what cows say.