Recently we received a request for information about readings that (1) clearly explain what biological evolution is and (2) persuasively defend why scientists believe in evolution.

Here's what BEES community members recommended:

-The Society for the Study of Evolution has a number of statements as well as links that address this issue. There are many examples of evolution that are discussed, including podcasts. www.evolutionsociety.org

-The National Academy of Sciences web site contains several relevant publications, including instructional materials. The National Academy booklet on Science, Evolution and Creationism is highly recommended. Paper copies can be purchased from the National Academies Press, or it can be downloaded at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11876. It is written for a wide audience, carefully illustrated and is respectful of religious views but unequivocal in explaining the evidence for evolution. 88 pp.

-HHMI has put on the web their Holiday lectures from 2005. This is a series of 4 - 45 min lectures given by Sean Carroll and David Kingsley for 200 high school students. They discuss Darwin and the development of his theory, as well as several current examples of evolution in action. http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/evolution/lectures.html
At the HHMI site, they also have a 70 min discussion with the students about reconciling evolution and religion as well as a 90 min lecture by Ken Miller about evolution versus intelligent design.

-The court decision on "intelligent design" from the Dover, Pennsylvania court case (CLICK HERE). It is focused on the question of whether or not "ID" is science (the decision found that it is not), but in the process goes through a lot of basic evolutionary biology. The courtroom context adds a certain amount of drama, but the legalistic language and underlying confrontation won't appeal to everyone.

-UC Berkeley’s Museum of Paleontology site “Understanding Evolution” http://evolution.berkeley.edu/
There is a particularly good section on how evolution impacts our lives, being relevant to medicine, agriculture, etc. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/search/topicbrowse2.php?topic_id=47

-The 3rd chapter of "The Evolution Explosion" by Steve Palumbi. It is very much written in laymen's terms, and explains the basic premise using great examples. If they like it, they might want to read the entire book. It is a good, fun read.

Thank you for all your suggestions!