Big Ideas

Like all scientific disciplines, our understanding of the evolution of species changes over time. New discoveries fuel new ideas, providing an ever-increasing understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. But of the overwhelming number of observations, theories, and principles that form the foundation for understanding evolution, what is essential for every American to understand? All too often, curricula are too ambitious and, as a result, may fail to cover topics in any substantial depth. An alternative approach is to build one's curriculum upon a foundation of focused, interconnected big ideas. A well-designed set of big ideas can provide an all-encompassing conceptual framework for any discipline, including evolution.