Another argument stressed by the opponents of evolution is that it is only the "theory" of evolution, as if that means it is a wild conjecture, he said. That's a misconception, according to Goldsmith.

"In science you can basically divide the world into facts and theory, and a fact is anything observable. . . .

"When biologists refer to evolution, we actually call it both a fact and a theory. The observation that evolution has happened, that life today is different than it was in the past, is a fact. Darwin's model of natural selection, the explanation that we use to explain why life has changed, is a theory.

"But like the molecular nature of water, nobody doubts that the theory is true — at least, no reputable scientists really do." The State School Board plans to discuss issues involving the teaching of evolution at its Sept. 2 meeting, said Brett Moulding, director of curriculum and instruction for the Utah State Office of Education.

"We teach evolution in the science classroom, and it's taught in high school biology," Moulding said. He said a position paper the board will consider Sept. 2 emphasizes that teachers need to respect and be nonjudgmental about beliefs students bring to the classroom.

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