Michigan Citizens for Science
Supporting Quality Science Education in Michigan's Public Schools

Michigan Citizens for Science (MCFS) is a group of concerned citizens, businesspeople, parents and educators who are committed to maintaining excellence in public school science classrooms in the state of Michigan .  Although the theory of evolution is one of the central unifying ideas in science and also one of the most evidentially well-supported of all scientific discoveries, it is continually under attack from those who seek to either eliminate it entirely, or water it down by bringing in religious alternatives dressed up in scientific-sounding language. Because of these attacks, evolution has rarely been given the full attention in public schools that it deserves. Whether these attempts to undermine the teaching of evolution are phrased as “creation science”, “intelligent design theory”, “the design hypothesis”, or some other terminology, the end result if they succeed will be to hinder our children’s education and diminish their understanding of one the most important explanations in science.  MCFS works to defend and advance sound science education in our public schools.

In accordance of the Michigan State Board of Education’s March 10, 1982 resolution regarding the “Teaching of Religion and Creationism in Michigan Public Schools”, the MCFS agrees with the position that the “...State Board of Education oppose the teaching, in public educational institutions, of any course in religion which is outside of the realm of a secular program of education and be it further resolved that the State Board of Education recommend that any school district currently teaching creationism or any course in religion in an attempt to indoctrinate toward any particular belief or disbelief cease and desist such teaching.”

In recognition of the aforementioned,  MCFS works to prevent non-scientific and
faith-based ideologies from entering Michigan's public school curricula.

The Current Challenge to Science Education in Michigan

MCFS is currently working to defeat two pieces of legislation recently introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives (HB 4946 & 5005).  Each of these bills would weaken the quality of science education in Michigan as well as introduce non-scientific and faith-based ideologies into the public classroom.


Anti-Evolution/ Intelligent Design Bill Introduced into Michigan House (HB 4946)
A bill introduced into the Michigan House would require all references to "evolution" and "how species change through time" in the science standards to be modified to indicate "that (evolution) is an unproven theory" by adding the phrase "All students will explain the competing theories of evolution and natural selection based on random mutation and the theory that life is the result of the purposeful, intelligent design of a Creator".

The bill would require that "In the science standards for middle and high school, all references to evolution and natural selection shall be modified to indicate that these are unproven theories by adding the phrase 'Describe how life may be the result of the purposeful, intelligent design of a Creator'."

See the full text of the bill at:
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billintroduced/house/htm/2003-HIB-4946.htm

7/18/2003  Intelligent Design Bill Reintroduced into Michigan House (HB5005)
HB 4705 from the 2001-2 legislative session has been reintroduced as HB 5005 in the current House.  HB 5005 would require that "The teaching in a public school science class of the methodological naturalism hypothesis as an explanation for the origin and diversity of life shall not preclude also teaching the design hypothesis as an explanation for the origin and diversity of life."  The bill states that "A public school official shall not censor or prohibit the teaching of the design hypothesis."

As used in this bill, "design hypothesis" is defined as "the theory (sic) that life and its diversity result from a combination of chance, necessity and design.  Methodological naturalism is defined as "the theory that nature is all there is and that all phenomena, including living systems, result only from chance and necessity.

View the full text of the bill at:
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billintroduced/house/htm/2003-HIB-5005.htm

What Can You Do to Help?
Join the MCFS in our efforts to maintain the high quality of science education in Michigan's public schools.  Add your name to the long list of citizens in Michigan that recognize that importance of a quality science education and the importance of preventing non-scientific ideologies from entering our science classrooms.

There is no cost to join MCFS.  Our new automated membership form will be available in a few days but until then, please forward your name and contact information to join mcfs and you will be notified of how you can help in this important cause and well as receive updates on pending legislation and political actions.