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Online Course for Teachers: Teaching Evolution

About this Course 

SESSION 1

SESSION 1: What Is the Nature of Science?

Explain Part B: Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?

Theory is at the heart of science and Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is one of the strongest.

Image of a crab.

Isn't Evolution
Just a Theory?

View in:
QuickTime | RealPlayer

In science, the following definitions are particularly important:

Fact
Law
Hypothesis
Theory

View definitions


Watch the Video for Students: "Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?" and consider:

How does the scientific meaning of the term theory differ from the way that many people use it in everyday life?

How does a theory differ from a hypothesis?

How do scientists use both inference and directly observed evidence to test hypotheses and develop theories? What is their relative importance?

Why is Darwin's theory of evolution considered to be a strong theory?

To read more about science, see the online version of Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science


Summarize and describe effective ways to help your students truly understand and use scientific terminology more accurately.



 

Facilitator Note 5

 

Next: Elaborate Part A: What Can't Science Do?

 
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