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Evolution Site – Teaching About Evolution Despite the best efforts by biology educators, there are still a lot of misconceptions about the evolution. People who have been exposed to the nonsense of pop science often believe that biologists are saying they don't believe in evolution. This rich Web site, a companion to the PBS program, provides teachers with materials that support the evolution of education, while avoiding the kinds of misconceptions that can hinder it. It's laid out in a “bread crumb” format to make navigation and orientation easier. Definitions Evolution is a complex and difficult subject matter to teach well. It is often misunderstood even by non-scientists, and even scientists are guilty of using definitions that confuse the issue. This is particularly applicable to discussions on the definition of the word itself. Therefore, it is essential to define terms that are used in evolutionary biology. Understanding Evolution's website does this in a simple and efficient manner. The site serves as an accompaniment to the 2001 series, but also a resource on its own. talks about it is presented in a nested fashion that assists in navigation and orientation. The site defines terms such as common ancestor (or common ancestor), gradual process and adaptation. These terms help to define the nature and relationship of evolution to other concepts in science. The site gives a comprehensive overview of the manner in which evolution has been examined. This information can be used to dispel misconceptions that have been engendered by creationists. It is also possible to find a glossary of terms that are used in evolutionary biology. These terms include: Adaptation is the tendency of heritable traits to be more suitable to their environment. This is a result of natural selection. Organisms with better-adapted traits are more likely than those with less adapted characteristics to survive and reproduce. Common ancestor: The most recent common ancestor of two or more species. The common ancestor can be identified by studying the DNA of these species. Deoxyribonucleic Acid: A huge biological molecular that holds the information required for cell replication. The information is contained in nucleotides arranged in sequences that are strung together to form long chains, also known as chromosomes. Mutations are responsible for the creation of new genetic information within cells. Coevolution is a relationship between two species where evolutionary changes in one species are dependent on evolutionary changes in the other. Examples of coevolution include the interaction between predator and prey or parasite and host. Origins Species (groups that can crossbreed) develop through a series of natural changes in the traits of their offspring. The changes can be caused by a variety such as natural selection, genetic drift and mixing of gene pools. The evolution of new species can take thousands of years. Environmental circumstances, such as changes in the climate or competition for food and habitat, can slow or accelerate the process. The Evolution site follows the evolution of different species of plants and animals, focusing on major transitions within each group's past. It also focuses on the human evolutionary roots, a topic that is particularly important for students to understand. Darwin's Origin was written in 1859, when only a handful of antediluvian fossils of humans were discovered. One of them was the infamous skullcap and associated bones found in 1856 in the Little Feldhofer Grotto in Germany which is now believed to be an early Homo neanderthalensis. It is highly unlikely that Darwin knew about the skullcap, which was published in 1858, a year after the publication of the first edition of The Origin. The site is primarily a biology site however, it also has a lot of information on paleontology and geology. One of the most appealing features of the website are a set of timelines that illustrate how geological and climatic conditions changed over time, as well as a map of the distribution of a few fossil groups that are featured on the site. While the site is a companion to the PBS television series, it also stands on its own as a great source for teachers and students. The site is well-organized and provides clear links to the introduction information of Understanding Evolution (developed under the National Science Foundation's support) and the more specific features of the museum website. These links facilitate the transition from the engaging cartoon style of the Understanding Evolution pages to the more sophisticated world of research science. There are links to John Endler’s experiments with guppies. They illustrate the importance of ecology in evolutionary theory. Diversity The evolution of life has produced many species of plants, animals and insects. Paleobiology is the study of these creatures within their geological context and has a number of advantages over modern observational and experimental methods for analyzing evolutionary processes. Paleobiology is able to study not only the process and events that happen regularly or over time, but also the distribution and frequency of different groups of animals across geological time. The site is divided into different paths that can be chosen to study the subject of evolution. One of these paths, “Evolution 101,” walks the reader through the evolution of nature and the evidence of evolution. The path also explores common misconceptions about evolution and the evolution theory's history. Each of the main sections of the Evolution website is equally well-developed, with materials that support a variety curriculum levels and teaching styles. In addition to the general textual content, the site offers an extensive selection of multimedia and interactive resources like videos, animations, and virtual labs. The content is organized in a nested, bread crumb style that facilitates navigation and orientation within the vast web site. The page “Coral Reef Connections” For instance, the page “Coral Reef Connections” provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between corals, their interaction with other organisms, and then zooms in to one clam, which can communicate with its neighbors and respond to changes in the conditions of the water at the reef level. This page, along with the other multidisciplinary, multimedia, and interactive pages on the website, provide an excellent introduction to a wide range of topics in evolutionary biology. The content also includes an explanation of the role of natural selection as well as the concept of phylogenetic analysis which is a crucial method to understand evolutionary changes. Evolutionary Theory Evolution is an underlying thread that is found throughout all branches of biology. A wide selection of resources helps teachers teach evolution across the life science disciplines. One resource, the companion to PBS's TV series Understanding Evolution is an excellent example of an Web site that provides depth and wide range of educational resources. The site offers a variety of interactive learning modules. It also has an embedded “bread crumb” structure that helps students transition from the cartoon style of Understanding Evolution to elements on this large Web site more closely linked to the field of research science. An animation that introduces the concept of genetics, which links to a page highlighting John Endler's experiments in artificial selection using Guppies in native ponds in Trinidad. Another resource that is worth mentioning is the Evolution Library on this web site, which contains an extensive library of multimedia resources that are related to evolution. The content is organized into curricula-based pathways that correspond to the learning objectives set out in the biology standards. It includes seven short videos designed for use in classrooms. These can be streamed or purchased as DVDs. Evolutionary biology is still a field of study that has many important questions, including what causes evolution and how quickly it happens. This is especially true in the case of human evolution where it was a challenge to reconcile religious beliefs that humans have a distinct place in creation and a soul with the notion that human beings have innate physical traits were derived from the apes. Additionally there are a myriad of ways that evolution can be triggered and natural selection is the most widely accepted theory. Scientists also study other kinds such as genetic drift and sexual selection. Many fields of inquiry have a conflict with literal interpretations of the Bible, evolutionary biology has been the subject of fierce debate and opposition from religious fundamentalists. Some religions have reconciled their beliefs with evolutionary biology, while others haven't.