NBHS English Class Holds Debate about Intelligent Design
Upon completing Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s play Inherit the Wind, students in Ms. Christina Avila’s 10th grade Honors English class prepared for an extensive class debate on issues disputed in the courtroom drama. The play, loosely based on the 1925 Scopes trial, highlights the clash between fundamentalism and free thought, ultimately favoring the latter. However, this controversy has not died down, especially since the theory of Intelligent Design has attempted, but failed, to enter the Science curriculum in many states, most recently in Texas. Therefore, students put their critical thinking and research skills to work as they discussed whether or not the theory of Intelligent Design should be taught alongside Darwin in public schools. Students not only had to research and formulate their own arguments, but they also had to think quickly on their feet as they tackled adult topics and argued against their opponents’ points. Additionally, many learned the valuable lesson that a strong argument requires a wide range of evidence and an assortment of resources.
