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Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization that promotes the education of the public about the methods and values of science and advocates excellence in the science curriculum. Activities include participation in educational and scientific organization conferences, workshops for science teachers, operation of a speakers' bureau, maintenance of an informational list serve, and related activities.

The formation of OESE was prompted by the attempts in the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee in 1999 to diminish the teaching of evolution by the introduction of creationist textbook disclaimers to be inserted into any textbook used in public schools that discussed evolution. There have been bills introduced almost every year since 1999 for legislation that would allow teaching creationism in science courses; OESE has opposed all such attempts.

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NEWS

TEACHERS' EVOLUTION WORKSHOP

Thanks to another generous grant from the Delta Foundation, Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE), held their 3rd annual Evolution professional development workshop for Oklahoma high school science teachers. "Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century" took place last weekend (October 24-26) at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma.
Conference participants learned about internet resources for teaching evolution, the logic of scientific investigation, evo-devo, genomics, the fossil record and macroevolution, how to deal with classroom and community controversy, the various forms of creationism, the legal and organizational support for teaching evolution, and classroom approaches to evolution education.

Conference Instructors included Ola Fincke (Zoology, OU), Victor Hutchison (Zoology, OU), Frank Sonleitner (Zoology, OU), Richard Broughton (Zoology, OU), Joseph Maness (Biology, SWOSU), Stanley Rice (Biology, SEOSU), Bob Melton (Science Curriculum Specialist, Putnam City). Teachers attending the workshop came from schools across Oklahoma: Chouteau, Gage, Porter, Yukon,McCloud, Putnam City, Tulsa, Adair, Norman North, OSU, Chickasha, Edmond Santa Fe, Broken Arrow, Berryhill, Cyril, Capitol Hill, Eastern Oklahoma State University, Checotah, Wellston, Maud and Litle Axe.

The "Teaching Evolution in the 21st Century" series of workshops from OESE provides an opportunity for in-service and pre-service educators to immerse themselves in evolution and approaches to teaching evolution in a retreat-like atmosphere at the OU Biological Station. It's a beautiful setting with opportunities for professional networking and intensive content and pedagogical exploration. There was even an opportunity to take a geology field trip (with the bonus of a little impromptu herpetology (encountered a timber rattlesnake)).

Clergy Letter Project: All clergy members are encouraged to go to this link to sign the nationwide outpouring of support for teaching evolution. For too long, the misperception that science and religion are inevitably in conflict has created unnecessary division and conflict concerning the teaching of evolution. The project is also described at the link.

OESE Joins Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science.
Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE) has joined the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS), organized coordinate efforts to improve public outreach and science education. The goals of COPUS are:

• Building the COPUS network - Underpinning the COPUS effort is a growing network of organizations and individuals who share a common goal: engaging sectors of the public in science and increasing their appreciation and understanding of the scientific enterprise. Find out more about participating in the COPUS Network.
• Developing state-level benchmark science-indicator reports on the importance of science to the U.S. economy and standard-of-living
• Supporting a national effort to promote the public understanding of science in a year-long celebration: Year of Science 2009 (also available: Year of Science 2009 fact sheet [PDF])
• Integrating efforts with the Understanding Science website project currently under development at the University of California, Berkeley

EVENTS

As we approach the big 200th anniversary year (2009) of Darwin's birth, big plans are being made at OU to celebrate. A committee representing several departments, led by faculty from the History of Science, is actively engaged. A special web site has been set up so interested persons can follow the plans as they develop and access information about Darwin. The site is: http://www.ou.edu/darwin/ . It is under development so check back regularly for updates.

PETITON DRIVE

SIGN UP FOR OKLAHOMA EVOLUTION LIST SERVE

The OKEVOL-L List Serve was established to alert and inform all interested parties in the evolution/creationism debate in Oklahoma. Messages will be sent only with approval of the list managers so that traffic will be kept to a minimum. Information on proposed legislative actions dealing with attempts to place creationist materials into public schools, important scheduled public meetings or debates on evolution/creationism, and any significant other news items dealing with these issues or related items on attempts at inappropriate or unconstitutional censorship will be sent to subscribers.