Educator’s Briefing Packet

This briefing packet was developed in order to provide you with clear and accurate information about the scientific theory of intelligent design: what it is, how it originated, and how it differs from neo-Darwinism. As staff members of Discovery Institute and its Center for Science & Culture, we developed this packet to help teachers understand the issue. However, it’s vital to understand that just because intelligent design is a growing scientific theory backed by much evidence, that does not mean it’s smart or appropriate to push it into public schools.

For the record, we do not propose that intelligent design be mandated in public schools, which is why we strongly opposed the school district policy at issue in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case. However, if you voluntarily choose to raise the issue of intelligent design in your classroom, it is vitally important that any information you present accurately conveys the views of the scientists and scholars who support intelligent design, rather than a caricature of their views. Otherwise you will be engaging in indoctrination, not education.

Whether you support or oppose intelligent design, the following materials will help you better understand what the theory of intelligent design actually proposes and correct common misunderstandings and misrepresentations often found in the newsmedia.