Online Professional Development Course Helps Secondary Educators Increase Their Confidence in Teaching Evolution to Religious Audiences

Abstract

Students with religious beliefs often find it difficult to accept the theory of evolution. It is important that educators feel comfortable addressing student questions on the compatibility of evolution and religion. We designed an online professional development course that taught the foundational principles of both evolution and religion in order to assist secular and non-secular educators in helping their students overcome religious barriers to evolution. This course increased the confidence of science educators to help students resolve perceived conflict between evolution and religion. Utilizing a reconciliation model will help religious educators drive science acceptance.