By Riley Morrison ’16
THE ROUNDUP 

Though many schools in the United States, both private and public, are being accused of teaching with a creationist agenda in the science classroom, Brophy educators continue to teach evolution.

“Evolution is part of a principle of science that we teach,” said biology teacher Mr. Bill Kalkman.  “The whole biology curriculum can be tied into the evolution of species, a common thread that goes through the whole class as we try to understand life on Earth.”

Students find that evolution is a very important part of their experience in biology.

“It was taught as a theory, given a whole scientific definition that was expanded on, and given evidence,” said Chris Rehling ’16.

However, according to Chris Kirk of slate.com, Arizona is one of many states that allows public funding to go toward schools that teach creationism in the classroom.

“In Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, taxpayer money is funding creationist private schools through state tuition voucher or scholarship programs.”

One might think that a religious institution like Brophy might have Scripture and science classes that clash, though this seems to not be the case.

“We haven’t really learned anything like (creationism), other than in scripture classes,” said Lou Dimuro ’16.

Emphasizing understanding in all subjects and areas of life is part of how teachers strike this balance.

“We’ve never had a conflict,” Mr. Kalkman said.  “I think that different components of the curriculum are taught from different perspectives… and that’s a good thing.”

Students don’t experience much conflict either.

“I don’t really have a problem believing both,” DiMuro said. “I can see it both ways.”

Science classes on campus are not void of religious influence, the level of which is determined by the teacher.

“We do say a prayer at the end of chemistry,” Rehling said.  “But other than that, nothing.”

Mr. Kalkman argues that one of the reasons the school stays so grounded, yet open to new perspectives, is its Jesuit background.

“The Jesuits are leaders in science and education,” Mr. Kalkman said.  “They have always been seeking understanding in the natural and physical world.”