Zimmerman, Michael "The Evolution-Creation Controversy:

Opinions from

Students at a 'Liberal' Liberal Arts College" Ohio Journal of Science

86(4):134-139, 1986.

Zimmerman, professor of biology at Oberlin College, Ohio administered

a questionnaire to 362 students at his college which was originally

developed and distributed at Ohio State University. From the abstract:

Most Oberlin students claim that they believe in evolutionary theory (89%)

and recognize both that it has solid scientific foundation (88%) and that

most scientists accept its scientific validity (92%). Over one-half of the

students surveyed (56%) thought, however, that creationism should be taught

in the public schools. At the same time, over one-half of those surveyed

(60%) also felt that such an introduction into the public schools would

constitute the teaching of religious principles.

Zimmerman expressed great dismay that such a large percentage of

students, who claimed they believed in evolution, also thought that

creationism should be taught. He attributed this to the creationists' plea

for academic freedom and felt that people holding liberal views, such as

the students at Oberlin, are particularly swayed by such arguments. His

conclusion:

"Although it does not make sense educationally for science curricula to be

determined by popular opinion, this appears to be the trend. It is thus

critically important for evolutionary biologists to work more directly at

educating the public about the facts of evolutionary biology and the

shortcomings of "creation-science."

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