Tuesday, December 1, 2009

New Resource on Evolution, from the National Science Foundation

The idea that species evolve predates the work of Charles Darwin, and it has influenced many areas of science other than biology since his era. An online resource, "Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years on Darwin's On the Origin of Species," created by the National Science Foundation, offers an interactive exploration of evolution, Darwin's groundbreaking work on the theory, and its reach across the sciences. It could be a valuable resource for teachers and students.

The NSF created the site to commemorate the 1859 publication of Species. It includes interactive features, interviews with scientists, as well as essays and other features that can be seen in text form, such as this timeline, which puts evolution in the context of other landmark scientific discoveries, from the 16th Century through today.