| The Theory of Evolution is the unifying concept across all branches of biology, and a higher level of acceptance of this theory corresponds to a better understanding of science and scientific process in general according to pre-test and post-test MATE scores. Teaching students creationism in high school classrooms leads to lower rates of acceptance on the MATE of evolution as a unifying concept of biology. Demographic factors such as religiosity, age, gender, ethnic heritage, attendance of a public vs private high school, and their choice of major are additional factors influencing students' rates of acceptance of evolution as a unifying concept of biology.;A Likert scale survey was administered to students enrolled in a freshman level biology course at the beginning of the semester. At the end of the semester, after lecture and testing on evolutionary concepts, the students were again administered the same survey to determine if their acceptance of evolution had changed with their increased knowledge of the Theory of Evolution. Survey results were evaluated by topic question for each demographic group using the average MATE, ANOVA, and Pearson's R values for statistical analysis.;The religious background and age of the student were found to predict students' acceptance of evolutionary concepts in this study. Results further indicated that a students' level of religiosity has the greatest influence on students MATE scores. Significant results between the demographic groups including major vs. non-major students, age, gender, ethnic heritage, religious affiliation, and their attendance in a public high school vs. attendance at a private high school were all found to be contributing factors in students MATE scores as well. |
