Science+In+The+Courts

Ms. Cambell


 * __Day 1: July 19, 2010

Introduction__

Objectives: //Students will be Able to// ** : 1. Define Evolution in their own words 2. Evaluate social, cultural, and political events of the early 1900s


 * Post on Simpson Opener Video**

I think that the purpose of this video was to show the evolution of Earth and the life forms existing on it.
 * Questions:**
 * 1) How long does it take for these changes in life forms to happen?
 * 2) Did some of the animals in the video exist back then (i.e. the mole or the rat)


 * TASK**:

**Students will work in small groups to produce a collaborative wiki space that illustrate an understanding of topics discussed in the unit, how to research court cases, and explain how science applies to the American justice system in the past and present. The wiki space should incorporate the use of at least three technology strategies that you have learned during the technology program.**




 * __Pair Share:__**

My partner and I decided that the three most important words were Natural Selection, Punctuated Equilibrium, and Gradualism. My definition of evolution is a change that occurs over time.


 * __Frayer Model on Evolution__**
 * __3 Minute Pause on Evolution__**
 * 1) Key Points: Evolution occurs in living organisms, and happens through generations.
 * 2) All animals have four similarities between them.
 * 3) How fast does Evolution happen.


 * __Updated Group Wordle:__**

Something that I now know about revolution is that all animals have four similarities. Besides that I knew everything else that we have learned today.
 * __Reflections__**


 * __Virtual Time Line:__**


 * __Question Regarding Scientific Research__

Q. Do you think that scientific research and discovery might be in conflict with some values and ideals of the 1920's? Why or why not? Provide evidence from today's activities to support your response.**


 * A. I think that scientific research and discovery was a conflict with the values and ideals of the 1920's. I think this because for example the Ku Klux Klan at that time was a group of Christians that did not want change to occur. Scientific research and discovery would cause change and advancements, they would not like this.**


 * __Summarizing Activity__**

Now that we have investigated evolution and highlighted some of the events, opinions and trends of the 1920s**: evidence and analysis

1. Identify parallels between this topic and conflicts/events that are going on today. 2. Make an argument for or against the theory of Evolution supporting your argument.

1. A parallel between this topic and conflicts today, because there are still people today who have beliefs that dont accept some or all scientific topics. 2. I think that it is a good thing to know about sciewntific revolution so that we can know how our species got to be how it is today. Its good to know how we formed into what we are today**

__**Day 2: July 20, 2010**


 * Objectives:**__

Students will be Able to**: 1. Explain the controversy of teaching evolution in schools 2. Identify the different views about teaching evolution in schools 3. Evaluate the impact of the Scopes trial in America

__I See It Means on Political Cartoon__

**


 * __Simpsons Video Questions:__**


 * Answer the following questions on the clip from the Simpson episode entitled, "//Monkey Suit//," in your notebook after watching the video:

Q.**

2. Do you think something like this could actually happen?
 * 1. What was the message of this cartoon clip?

A.**

1. The message of this cartoon clip was that there are two sides two a theory, and that both sides should be known. The cartoon clip was also trying to show how evolution, and creationism are two very controversial topics. Also another message of the cartoon clip was that everyone should be able to beleive in what they want 2. I think that something like this could actually happen today. There are certain states in the south today that prohibit the teaching of evolution. One of these states being Texas.

[|Pirate Pad Link on Butler Act]


 * __Information on Players From the Scopes Trial From PiratePad:__**

The ACLU is organization in which they defend anyone being accused of teaching evolution. In Tennessee V Scopes the ACLU defended John Scopes for he had been accused of teaching evolution. The ACLU told John Scopes to teach evolution on purpose; for teaching out the text book is requirement in Tennessee he had no choice but to break the law. John Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution but he made a point the law was pointless.
 * ACLU**

John T. Raulston, the judge in the Scopes trial, was "a popular local attorney of no special competence." Although his rulings more often favored the prosecution and his deference to Bryan was especially obvious, Raulston was credited with "acting according to his lights as well as his prejudices." The attention that came with the Scopes trial pleased Raulston, and he seemed to have a near obsession with having his picture taken. Raulston was a deeply religious man. During the trial he quoted scripture. It was also his practice to open proceedings with a prayer whenever a clergyman was present. His decision on the trial was to deem John Scopes guilty of all charges. He ruled in favor of creationism. He was a very religious man who was particularly biased towards the prosecutor William Jennings Bryan. He also enjoyed the attention he obtained from the case. His family was given front row seats to the court cases.
 * John T. Raulston**


 * John Scopes**

1900-1970 He was a biology teacher, and was asked by businessmen to be indicted teaching evolution. At 24, he was a defendant and he claimed he was innocent because he did nothing wrong. Basically, he didn't teach evolution, he was just there to be used.


 * William Jennings Bryan**

William Jennings Bryan was a highly influential national figure. He was elected in the House of Representatives and ran for president three times. He was a major player in the creation of the Butler act, and when the Scopes trial came up, he was placed as prosecutor despite that not being his job.

Clarence Darrow's role in the trial was as the most famous lawyer who ( m ) defended John Scopes. He argued for the side of science, and pressed on the prosecuting attorney, Bryan, to admit that the Genesis and the Bi bl e was a bunch of garbage. His main goal was to prove that the Butler Law was unconstitutional. However, h e only ended up creating a furious debate over the issue of religion vs. science. Like his father, Darrow was an atheist, and thus argued for the side of science with a firm belief in the truth of evolution. Scopes was found guilty, but Darrow later appealed the case to the Tennesee supreme court. Scopes was released on a technicality but the Butler Act remained.
 * Clarence Darrow**

**__Summarizing the Trial:__**

What importance did each person/organization play in the case. Evaluate the perspective each person/organization had on the teaching of evolution in public schools. Do you agree with the outcome of the trial? Why or why not?

John Raulstons role in this case was being the judge. Clarence darrows role in this case was a lawyer. William Jennings Bryan's role in this case was being a prosecutor. John Scopes role in this case was the person who was charged, the defendent. The role of the ACLU in this case was to help defend John Scopes. I dont really agree with the outcome of the trial. I say this because I think that its very silly to put someone on trial for teaching a theory. I think that this is very wrong. You don't have to accept the theory being taught, but its good to know what others think and say about how we came to be on this planet.


 * __Day 3: July 21, 2010__**


 * __Objectives:__**

//Students will be able to:// Explain how their Glog/Slide represents the signifcance of events that occurred during the Scopes Trial Identify and explain the connection between science and the justice system in today's world


 * __Opener:__**
 * In **10** words or less summarize the Scopes Trial
 * Find/Create a visual that best symbolizes the trial


 * Glog on the Scopes Trial**

media type="custom" key="6577419" width="196" height="213" align="center"


 * __Explanation of Glog__**

I put in the pictures of the people/logo to represent and show how they look and kind of give an idea or visual of how things might of been. I included a picture of the Butler Act, because it was a big part of the Scopes Trial. It basically is the reason why the Scopes Trial even happened. I added the music because it made me think of the early nineteen hundreds. I put in the info/captions so that anyone who views this glog will learn something about the Scopes Trial.


 * __CSI Reflection:__**

I learned everyone has a different DNA unless they are identical twins. I also learned that your DNA is the same all throughout your body. It is the same in every cell. Lastly I learned that DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell.


 * __Day 4 July 22, 2010

Research Project__**

My case was the Edwards v. Aguillard case. My page, along with the rest of my groups pages can be found at http://science-in-the-courts-of-justice.wikispaces.com/.

We each put together a page on a certain and what the case was about. On my page I included a glog on my case, some wrting explaining a little of my case, a wordle to shortly summarize what the case was about, and some sticky notes of questions to keep in mind when reading through my page and about my case.