Science Is Constantly Evolving

Discover the latest in climate change and evolution education news.

Caves of Gargas neolithic hand stencils
Caves of Gargas neolithic hand stencils
Will the Paleolithic disappear from North Carolina's schools?
A revised set of North Carolina's state social studies standards now under consideration omits the Paleolithic, according to WFAE radio in Charlotte (January 30, 2020), meaning that human evolution would no longer be mentioned in sixth-grade world history courses. WFAE observed, "Some who embrace…
Microscopes on a table
Microscopes on a table
Antiscience legislation in South Dakota out of commission
South Dakota's Senate Bill 59, which would have allowed the misrepresentation of science in the classroom, was tabled on a 7-0 vote in the Senate Education Committee on January 30, 2020, and is thus out of commission. If enacted, SB 59 would have provided, "No teacher may be prohibited from…
NCSE Teacher Ambassador Rebecca Brewer
NCSE Teacher Ambassador Rebecca Brewer
The "how" is as important as the "why"
Evolution illuminates the nature of science. With evolutionary concepts embedded throughout biology courses, observational and experimental investigations provide opportunities for students to analyze data, argue the evidence, and draw connections regarding evolutionary change.
Joe Felsenstein
Joe Felsenstein
Discovering for myself that evolution really does unify biology
I came to my own realization of the importance of teaching evolution by discovering that several unconnected subjects that fascinated me were actually closely connected, and connected with all of modern evolutionary biology.
James Gleick
James Gleick
Why teach evolution?
Are we really still asking this question in 2020? You might as well ask why teach that the earth is round.
Darwin finches
Darwin finches
NCSE launches #WhyTeachEvolution campaign in advance of Darwin Day
In advance of Darwin Day — February 12, 2020 — NCSE is drawing attention to the critical importance of teaching evolution in our nation's schools. As part of its #WhyTeachEvolution campaign, NCSE asked scientists, educators, authors, and science fans to write brief essays answering the question "…
Jonathan Losos
Jonathan Losos
Evolution in real time has real-world effects
Why teach evolution? Because it’s not just a topic of academic interest for pointy-headed scientists. It’s more than figuring out the history of life through time: how ancestral microbes evolved into complex organisms, how aquatic animals conquered the land, and how we arose from our primate…
Elizabeth Allan
Elizabeth Allan
A unifying theme across all STEAM subjects
Why teach evolution? Evolution isn’t just a unifying concept that connects elements of the natural world: It’s also the link among science, our students, and their world. Why is that important? Evolution can be used as a “hook,” a way to show how the natural interests of all students—not…
Briana Pobiner
Briana Pobiner
Evolution: It's about us
As a scholar of human evolution, I’m biased in thinking that our own evolutionary history is the most compelling example of evolution that teachers can draw on to engage students in learning about evolution—and counter common misconceptions.

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The National Center for Science Education is the only national organization that specializes in defending the teaching of controversial issues (such as evolution and climate change) in public schools. Because of our special expertise and experience, NCSE is often cotacted by members of the press who are writing about the evolution/creationism controversy, or about the teaching of global warming and other climate science issues that have come under political attack. Our staff can provide reliable information about creationism, evolution, climate change, and the state of science education in the United States.

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