AIBS Evolution Initiatives

AIBS conducts activities that support evolution education and communicate the nature of science. Through the Education, Public Policy, and Publications Offices, AIBS supports sound educational practices and reports on and advances public policy initiatives that support science education. AIBS often collaborates with other organizations and research centers to inform scientists, teachers, students, and policy makers of the latest evolutionary discoveries. An overview of our organization-wide activities, resources, and accomplishments is presented below or download the AIBS Evolution Initiatives Brochure (PDF 55KB).

What We Do

Education

• Co-sponsor an evolution symposium with the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) at the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Annual Meeting that includes educational resources for biology teachers and provides updates on the latest evolutionary biology research from leading scientists.

Please visit the AIBS Education Office pages to learn more.

Public Policy

• Monitor and analyze local, state, and federal public policy developments (e.g., legislation, school board initiatives, and lawsuits) that threaten educators' ability to teach science and students' ability to gain an understanding of science.

• Write and disseminate press releases, position statements, official letters, and public policy reports that communicate biological scientists' priorities to elected officials, government agencies, media, and the general public.

• Work with the National Center for Science Education to maintain a state evolution list serve network that allows scientists, teachers, and other interested parties to network in their state, nationally, and internationally. The list serve network covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and two Canadian provinces.

Please visit the AIBS Public Policy Office pages to learn more.

Publications

• Publish BioScience articles related to improving and defending the teaching of evolution in the K-16 science curriculum.

• Produce special publications, such as symposia volumes, that improve the public's access to recent evolution and education research.

• Manage the educational website www.ActionBioscience.org, which features issues-based articles on evolution and other "hot biology topics," as well as related teaching resources to promote biological sciences education.

Please visit the AIBS Publications Office pages to learn more.

Recent Activities

• Helped defend evolution in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and other states and localities where school boards have threatened science education. AIBS has joined with other professional societies to submit amicus curiae briefs in key cases.

• Partner with BSCS to co-sponsor the NABT Evolution Education Award, which recognizes innovative classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the accurate understanding of biological evolution.

• Co-hosted a national press conference to discuss the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover intelligent design trial verdict.

• Developed a media training presentation to help scientists more effectively defend evolution education and communicate the nature of science.

• Maintain a "State News on Teaching Evolution" archive featuring state-by-state coverage of evolution education developments.

Contacts

For more information on legislative, legal, or public policy issues related to evolution, please contact Dr. Robert Gropp, AIBS Director of Public Policy (, 202-628-1500 x 250).

Media representatives interested in speaking to someone concerning evolution should contact Dr. Robert Gropp, AIBS Director of Public Policy (, 202-628-1500 x 250).