Evolution: The Grand Experiment Vol. 1 by Dr. Carl Werner

We received Evolution: The Grand Experiment Vol. 1 several weeks ago.  I was excited when it arrived because it’s an 8 1/2 x 11” hardbound book containing 276 pages in full color!  It’s very much a textbook, which appealed to this homeschool mom!  Here’s what New Leaf Publishing has to say about Evolution: The Grand Experiment (I’ll share my thoughts below):

“A BOOK THAT CHALLENGES YOUR VIEWS AND DEMANDS A VERDICT.”

If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. -Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species

Darwin’s book on evolution admitted that “intermediate links” were “perhaps the most obvious and serious objection to the theory” of evolution. Darwin recognized that the fossils collected by scientists prior to 1859 did not correspond with his theory of evolution, but he predicted that his theory would be confirmed as more and more fossils were found. One hundred and fifty years later, Evolution: The Grand Experiment critically examines the viability of Darwin’s theory.

Separate the science from myth:

Primordial Soup

Survival of the fittest

Mutation

Similarities

Adaptation

Fossils

Meet scientists from around the world:

What do they say about transitional fossils?

What do they say about the fossil record?

What do they say about the origin of life?

Dozens of special features:

Interviews with scientists from leading universities and other institutions

Hundreds of color photos

Balanced views

Informative summaries of scientific concepts

Easy-to-understand, concise format

In addition to the book, we also received the Teacher’s Manual, the Presentation CD, and the DVD.  (You can click on the links to see more information about these supplemental resources.)

Heidi Says . . . I’ve been very impressed with this book/set.  I wanted to take some time to use it with the girls in our homeschool before writing my review.  So, we’ve completed the first 3 chapters, done the chapter tests, and just finished up the review test for chapters 1-3.  We plan to continue using it throughout the remainder of our school year, so that’s a testimony to my thoughts on it.  Here’s more - - -

The book is made up of 20 chapters.  We cover one chapter per week – starting out with a pre-reading discussion, then reading the text. We spend the next few days going over the chapter objectives (these and the discussion questions are found in the Teacher’s Manual).  Then, we take the test (also found in the Teacher’s Manual, or available to print from the Presentation CD). 

There are 3 different versions of the chapter tests.  Test A is to  be taken after each chapter, Test B is used for the chapter review tests (after every 3 chapters), and I think Test C will be used at the very end of the study (as a LARGE, final review). 

The course is designed for students in grades 6-12.  I wasn’t sure that Gracie would be quite ready for it yet, at only 10, but I made her follow along anyway.  It’s been amazing to me how many times throughout our week – when we’re watching a movie or driving along in the car – that she’ll bring up something that we learned in this book.  Even though she seems to complain when I say it’s time for “evolution”, she is picking up much more than I could have imagined. 

The text is rich with pictures and actually rather light on words.  So each chapter is quick and really simple to read, but the questions get you thinking.   It’s shocking to us to think of the number of people in the world (many that we know) who believe in evolution and some of the other scientific theories that seem ludicrous to us (because we know the truth).  It’s nice to know that my children are being grounded in the truth.

I’d recommend this study.  It’s not only great in a homeschool, but would work nicely in a co-op setting, or even in a church setting.  It’s not just  for students, but for adults also.  If you don’t have time to do the full-course study, I’d recommend checking out the DVD.  It’s worth watching and pretty much covers everything covered in the book.  I’m counting this as a 2nd science credit for Ashley this year (though I’m not sure how I’ll word it on her transcript yet!)  I’m thinking that we’ll plan to add Vol. 2 to our homeschool schedule for next year (if it’s available in time). 

For more information or to purchase Evolution: The Grand Experiment and other great resources from New Leaf Publishing, click here.

NOTE: I received free product from New Leaf Publishing in exchange for my use and honest review of it.  The thoughts expressed herein are my own and I was not compensated in any other way.