The Evolution Talk podcast explores evolution in a straightforward way that is easily accessible to students of biology or those just curious about the world around them. The podcast dives deep into specific aspects of the topic with episodes ranging from examples of evolution in action and scientists who contributed to the development of the field to fascinating new frontiers and discoveries. Author and podcast host Rick Coste recently spoke with NCSE Science Education Specialist Blake Touchet as part of a two-episode series about the common misconception that evolution is “only a theory.”
In the first episode, “Only a Theory,” Touchet discusses the origin of this misconception. As every science teacher can probably attest, the misconception that evolution is “only a theory” is ubiquitous when teaching biology and stems from both a misuse of the word theory in everyday language and a misconception that ideas in science progress through a hierarchy beginning with a hypothesis and ending with a law. Coste and Touchet expound on the importance of understanding the language of science and distinguishing between hypotheses, laws, and theories. The episode concludes with examples of how evolutionary science is classified and used according to these definitions and why evolution, as a theory, has such great power in explaining and predicting natural phenomena.
In the second episode, “What Can Educators Do?,” Touchet follows up by discussing the impact of misconceptions and public perception on the understanding and acceptance of evolution. By gaining an awareness of how evolution is often misrepresented in the news and popular media, teachers and students can evaluate their conceptual understandings of the topic and critique what they hear or read whenever evolution is brought up. Touchet also shares practical strategies and resources for increasing student engagement and resolving student misconceptions. By laying a solid foundation of how the scientific community practices science and leading with culturally responsive and sensitive practices, teachers can meet students where they are and move toward understanding evolution in a non-confrontational way.
Blake Touchet is a Science Education Specialist with NCSE's Supporting Teachers program.