Project teach evolution: Preparing biology pre-service teachers to teach evolution in Missouri, U.S.A.

Abstract

We highlight our evolution education efforts in the state of Missouri, United States of America. Acceptance of evolution among Missourians is compared to results from a national survey; the religiousness, education, and age of Missourians help explain state and national differences. To further examine regional influences in the state, a brief history of the Ozarks region and its culture are included. Anti-evolution efforts in the state are examined through the frequency of anti-evolution legislative bills and the state science standards. The authors describe their evolution education efforts, focusing primarily on a hybrid evolution content and pedagogy undergraduate course for pre-service biology education students. Course curriculum, assignments, and assessments are described. Challenges teaching the hybrid course include differing science teaching orientations of the two instructors, as well as a tension between the emphases given to content versus pedagogy.