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University of Minnesota professor wins national evolution education award
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 10/14/2008 ) -- Randy Moore, a professor in the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences, has been named winner of the National Association of Biology Teachers Evolution Education Award. Moore will receive the award, given to one K-16 biology teacher annually, at the association's annual meeting on Oct. 17 in Memphis, Tenn. For nearly 30 years, Moore has taught biology based on evolution, incorporating it as the unifying theme of biology as well as his classes. "There is no controversy among biologists over whether evolution occurs, nor are there science-based alternative theories," Moore said. "Teaching evolution as a unifying theme is the best way to show students what biology is all about and to help them understand our world. It's one of the most important, useful and liberating ideas in science." Moore has also worked outside the classroom to improve public understanding of science by advising states on science education guidelines, conducting teacher workshops and media interviews and building dialogue between scientists and religious groups. "I was raised to understand and respect religious traditions, but I strongly oppose the teaching of creationism in science classes," Moore said. Moore has authored four books on evolution, most recently "More Than Darwin: An Encyclopedia of the People and Places of the Evolution-Creationism Controversy," which he wrote with his colleague, Mark Decker. As a professor in the biology program, which is run by the College of Biological Sciences, Moore teaches introductory biology, a popular class entitled "The Evolution-Creationism Controversy," and a learning abroad course called ""Biology of the Galapagos," which takes students on a research-based trip to see "evolution's workshop." To view a multimedia presentation on "Biology of the Galapagos," go to http://www.cbs.umn.edu/main/multimedia/galapagos/ The education award, which is given for innovation classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the understanding of evolution, is co-sponsored by the American Institute for Biological Sciences and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. Moore, who has earned numerous other teaching awards from local and national organizations, holds a doctorate in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is available for interviews about evolution in the classroom and the evolution-creationism controversy. ---------- |
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