300075 VU Lessons in Scientific Thinking: Understanding Evolution (2024S)

This course is intended to help students and teachers of science develop advanced and subtle thinking skills to improve their understanding and communication of central scientific concepts and approaches. Participants will work with various modes of thinking employed in science, with a focus on how science works to understand and explain the world – how do we know what we know?

Topics include what science is and how it works, the main scientific concepts upon which biological and other sciences are built, and how scientists think about different kinds of questions. Most examples will relate to evolutionary biology, but other areas of science will be represented as well. Lessons will also include critical thinking and dealing with media misinformation. Other topics can be included according to students' interests.

Each lesson will include resources for learning about and teaching the relevant information and concepts (readings, exercises, videos), and most will include a writing exercise.