For a scientist, the theory is the big idea.
So, a scientist will look at theory
as the, the big all-encompassing idea that helps explain a lot of what you see.
And in fact the facts down here are important.
But, the facts help you build hypoth, help you generate hypotheses, help you
understand laws, and then eventually, help you put together theories which really
are, are big explanations for scientific events.
So, the definition of the theory that the National
Academy of Scientists came up, up with is, a theory
is a well-substantiated explanation for some aspect of the natural world that can
incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.
And one of the, the great things about a good
theory is, a good theory allows scientists to make predictions.
So one of the things you can do with your students is to use this
aspect of theory, the ability to make predictions to set up your instruction.
So if you present, if then statements to
your students as you work through your evolution curriculum.
So, for instance, you know what would we
predict is life has evolved, what should we see?
Well we should see nested patterns of resemblance linking up all life.
we dealt earlier in the course with, with phylogenetic trees.
So a phylogenetic tree basically is a, a graphic
depiction of these nested patterns that you would see.
So if you look at the top of the tree you might see a group of let's say humans.
So, we have the Neanderthal. We have homo sapiens in that group.
If you go up a little bit farther and look
at the next nest above that, we might see apes.
If you go back a little farther, you'll see all primates.
If you go back farther, you see, eventually see all, all
mammals.
So this is the, sort of this idea of nested
groups within other groups that the theory of evolution predicts.