Science+and+the+Courts

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. **

Science and the Courts = Day 1 Objectives: = 1. Define Evolution in their own words 2. Evaluate social, cultural, and political events of the early 1900s Day 1 1. Is ths video stating that the people who are here today are descendants of dinosaurs or other animals? 2. Why are only Homer and Moe displayed as the only cavemen? Weren't there other people or cavemen? The objective of this video is to show visually the theory of evolution and how it still affects individuals today.
 * // Students will be Able to //** :
 * __Response to Simpsons Video__**




 * Natural Selection, Theory of Evolution, Adaptations

** __**3 Minute Pause**__ I have learned that evolution is a change that requires millions of years for species to adapt. Many animals share similar and yet differing structures with human beings. I also believe that evolution is a theory and that scientists work tirelessly everyday in order to find conclusive evidence that will change the //theory// into a law of science. Also I have some questions about evolution. Besides Charles Darwin who was another prominent scientist who contributed to the theory of evolution? What environmental changes forced humans to evolve all those years ago? What specific events were the causes for the evolution of humans? ​ 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.** 2. Make an argument for or against the theory of Evolution supporting your argument** P.S. Charles Darwin was British and you know how you can't trust those Brits.
 * __Questions__
 * 1) Yes, I believe that the study of evolution in the 1920's might be in conflict with the people at that time because during that time Americans were heavily religious. From the 1800s to the 1900s Americans were religious and could not believe the theory of evolution.
 * 1. Identify parallels between this topic and conflicts/events that are going on today.
 * The theory of evolution in many ways is still being debated today and the argument between creationists and evolutionists is still raging on. Not only that, the Klu Klux Klan a group in the 1920s are still working tirelessly to restore the order that they want.
 * The theory of Evolution is incorrect because it states in plain terms that if you give an organism enough time it will "evolve" and become better. If humans are in dire need of wings in order to get to higher ground because... I don't know...the ground is cracking. Humans will "evolve" because after a million years humans will be able to grow wings. That is my argument opposing the completely incorrect "theory" of evolution.

= Day 2 Objectives: = 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
 * // Students will be Able to //** :

1. What was the message of this cartoon clip?

2. Do you think something like this could actually happen?


 * 1) **The message of this cartoon clip is that evolutionism and creationism are two very controversial topics and people will always have conflicts with one another when it comes to this topic.**
 * 2) **Yes, I do think something like this could happen. As I was told this has already happened in Texas where a person can be arrested for teaching non-biblical science.**
 * These are the comments, connnections, inferences, etc...by me and my classmates on the Butler Act.**

**__Summary__:** 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. [|http://wapedia.mobi/en/John_T._] [] [] Clarence Darrow's role in the trial was as the most famous lawyer whom defended John Scopes. He argued for the side of science, and pressed on the prosecuting attorney, Bryan, to admit that the Genesis and bible was a bunch of garbage. His main goal was to prove that the Butler Law was unconstitutional. However, he 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. __**Summary:**__ 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.
 * Scopes Trial Characters:**
 * //__Summary: __//**
 * __Summary__: ** 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.
 * __Summary__ **: 1900-1970 He [John Scopes]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.


 * //Summary of Trial//**: The Scopes "Monkey Trial" was a trial that occured in Tennessee in 1925 and led to clashes between creationists and Darwinists. Not only that, it featured many important people such as William Jennings Bryan, a highly influential national figure who fought for the prosecution and of defense of creationism. There was also Clarence Darrows, John Scopes's defense attorney who fought against creationsim. The ACLU was an organization that defended John Scopes and his teaching of evolution and that he was "innocent." Judge John T. Raulston played an immense role because he himself was religious and loved the attention the trial brought. He also ruled against Scopes but the decision was reversed by the Tennessee supreme court on a technicality.
 * Opinion: I feel that the decision by the Supreme Court was incorrect because they decided to reverse the Judge's decision on a technicality, not based on the constitutionality of the case. Also John Scopes knew that there was a law in place and chose to violate it and had to pay the price. All in all, John Scopes got out because of a technicality, but then again the Judge was very biased. John Scopes however knew that he could be arrested.**

Day 3: 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

Day 3: Scopes Trial Glog

media type="custom" key="6577651" width="220" height="220"
 * __Explanation of Glog__:** I chose the pictures on my widget because I wanted to display how the Scopes trial was between religion(creationism) and science(darwinism). Not only that, I also highlighted how it was a court case by showing a finger shouting "Objection." This finger also happens to be pointing at the music button. The grass on the bottom of the screen is supposed to represent the landscape of Tennessee, although I don't know how accurate it is. I also have the people involved in the case such as John Scopes, the defendant, William Jenning Bryan; the prosecutor and Clarrence Darrow, the defending attorney.
 * __CSI Reflection:__ I learned that people in crime scene related jobs have it rough, yet their jobs are very interesting. They use a variety of technology and also that everyone has different DNA. Not only that, I learned that the job requires alot of procedures that must be constantly repeated everyday. In the end, I learned that if you do the crime you //will// do the time. That is what I learned about CSI today.**

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