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Special Collection: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

This collection is produced by WGBH Educational Productions, WGBH Media Library, and WGBH Interactive, with NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc. "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" is produced by NOVA and Vulcan Productions, Inc., in association with The Big Table Film Company.

In December 2004, a group of parents from Dover, Pennsylvania, filed suit in federal court against a policy instituted by the town's school board. Months earlier, the board had required high school biology teachers to read a statement to their classes that presented intelligent design, as explained in the textbook Of Pandas and People, as an alternative scientific theory to evolution. The parents, joined by a group of Dover High School science teachers, sought to prove that the intention behind the board's policy—to reject evolution and advance a religious agenda—was unconstitutional. The media resources and lesson plan listed below, based on the NOVA program, "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial", address some common misperceptions concerning the very meaning of "theory" in science and feature compelling evidence in support of evolution. Also check out the Teacher's Guide for this NOVA program and the professional development course for teachers listed below.

Resource	Grade Level	Media Type
Human Chromosome 2 In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn how modern genetics and molecular biology offer compelling support for evolution. The video features an interview with biologist Ken Miller.	6-12	QuickTime Video
Tiktaalik: Evolution of a "Fishapod" In this media-rich lesson, students learn about transitional fossils and explore the similarities and differences between the structures of different animals. They focus particularly on Tiktaalik, a transitional fossil between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Transitional Tetrapod Fossil In this video segment from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn about the discovery of a well-preserved transitional fossil and how such transitional fossils support the theory of evolution.	6-12	QuickTime Video
What Is a Theory? In these two audio interviews from NOVA Online, learn about the difference between the common understanding of the word "theory" and how science uses the term.	6-12	Flash Interactive

Professional Development Course
Teaching Evolution in 21st Century America This course gives teachers the background and skills they need to counter pressures to present or address religiously based alternatives to the theory of evolution. It is offered for self study or group study, and can be used as a guide for a professional development workshop.