>
>       Steve (I know you question was tongue in cheek - but since you
>asked....)
>
>       Contrary to what you read (yes - the media skewed the story), yes we
>can teach all about evolution, and of course stellar evolution.  That is not
>the issue.  The issue is that it is now not part of the state standards, and
>hence will not be tested at the school level. At the college level nothing
>has changed.  But now local schools can make their own decisions about what
>is taught and not taught.  Therefore a school out in the plains can decide
>to teach creationism if they like - as a scientific theory.  That is
>unlikely to happen in the city schools since there is a strong core of
>excellent science teachers here, but what teacher is going to spend valuable
>classroom time teaching about something that will not be tested?
>
>       Some interesting things are happening though - the NSTA teacher's
>guides have a copyright clause - and NSTA are considering disallowing use of
>their materials in Kansas schools under the copyright law - similar pressure
>is coming from the local universities and colleges - entrance to higher
>levels will require trhat your local school taught evolution as part o fthe
>science course - you see such pressure is very influencial and I am
>convinced that very soon someone is going to put a red line through the
>school board decision and reverse it.
>
>       Our local newspaper has been doing a great job in highlighting the
>ridiculous nature of this decision, lambasting the local school board for
>their action.  The decision came as a result of a small number (2 I think)
>of creationists who would not allow anything to pass a vote that contained
>evolution in the curriculum.  Leaving the decision of what to teach to local
>schools was the compromise that allowed the bill to pass.  If the furore
>locally from everyone I have spoken to and heard from is anything to by -
>the decision will be reversed within the year.  But it does show you what a
>tiny minority can do by influencing politics at the local level.  Pay
>attention to your local school board elections!
>
>       This past month has caused me to think how good a job I am doing in
>teaching people about how science works.  I for one am trying to do a better
>job at the methods of science in my college astronomy class.
>
>       $62-million has gone into the development of Exploration Place - our
>benefactors are committed to the vision of Exploration Place to a level that
>is unusual in a city of 0.5 million, and they know what they are doing.  To
>offer opportunities for discovery and exploration, and to help develop the
>culture of independent critical thinkers on which the nation is based.
>Historically I am sure the school board vote will be seen as a minor blip.
>Meanwhile the thousands of science teachers in Kansas cannot wait for
>Exploration Place to open (Spring 2000).
>
>       Martin Ratcliffe
>       Exploration Place
>       Wichita, Kansas
>
>
>
>
>> Martin:
>>
>> Are you still allowed to teach Stellar "Evolution" in the planetariums
>> in Kansas ?!
>>
>> Steven LJ Russo
>> Plainedge Planetarium
>> N. Massapequa, NY
>>
>