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SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: only 2 of 51 Miss America contestants support evolution taught in schools

Go here for article: Miss USA Pageant Winner One of Two Contestants to Back Evolution.

By Philip Yam

I admit, the only time I even notice beauty pageants is when one of the contestants flubs a response and video of the embarrassing moment makes the YouTube rounds.

This time, though, I'm taking notice because of a cogent answer, one that could be seen as a victory for science. Tanya Somanader of Think Progress recounts in her excellent blog post an answer given by 21-year-old Alyssa Campanella, a self-described science geek who won the Miss USA competition last night.

Responding to the question of whether evolution should be taught in schools, Campanella affirmed her position on evolution and its rightful place in the classroom. She and Miss Massachusetts, Alida D’Angona, were the only two of the 51 contestants to back Darwin.

Continues, with video clips, here.

Comments

curious cuber said…
Truly unbelievable. I am a high school math teacher and cannot comprehend the thought of teaching 'science' from a holy text. At best a holy text is a literary work worth studying in a world religions course.
June 22, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Roberto said…
The first girl seemed to have absolutely no idea about evolution at all. I mean it shouldn't be taught at school because of different cultural view points and beliefs?? Obviously evolution is a very complex subject, but with adequate teaching I see no problem with kids understanding it. Better get evolution in them early and not religious dogma.
June 22, 2011 at 4:34 PM
Anonymous said…
I may be mistaken, but Miss Vermont also gave a correct response, actually citing scientific information.
June 24, 2011 at 2:28 AM
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