Re:Lay Education Project

From: Mccarrick Alan D CRPH (MccarrickAD@nswccd.navy.mil)
Date: Fri Jan 05 2001 - 10:50:59 EST

  • Next message: James W Stark: "Re: Lay Education Project"

    Jack,

    I'll throw my 2 cents in.

    As a science teacher in a Christian secondary school, I face the situation of teaching multiple sides to my students. As a whole, I'll make some generalizations: (please remember, none of these are 100%)

    1. Elementary and middle school teachers are more likely to be YEC than high school teachers.

    2. Those same teachers are more likely to be less trained in scientific subjects.

    3. They also have some of the most lasting personal and spiritually positive influences on the students.

    4. Teachers in the sciences have better formed opinions (whether YEC or OEC).

    5. Most teachers don't really continue to learn about the issues as students themselves, but many would like to.

    6. Teachers usually appreciate civil discussion about these issues.

    7. Students at the high school level are quite open to frank discussions about origin issues, and are not nearly so offended as older folk.

    Perhaps reaching Christian High School faculty (especially at larger schools not associated with one church) with really good material opening up the topic of origins (both biology and astronomy) would be a first step. Perhaps local ASA groups could plan saturday or evening seminars. My approach has been to present multiple approaches giving the students opportunities to read original material. I also ask them to interview their pastor/youth leader/other teacher... and we look at all the responses. From Christian high schools the next step might be (1) other private schools or (2) Christian elementary faculty.

    Just some thoughts.

    Al McCarrick



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