[Onelifetogive]

But since they can only truly question a theory from a position of knowledge, the point is moot.

Moot???

That is a bizarre statement. Education: Tell someone something exists. Teach them about it. Teach them to go beyond what they are taught!

Your point is that a student shouldn't be told that a theory is not a fact, because he is not yet able to "truly question it from a position of knowledge."

Remedial Science 101: This is a fact. This is a theory. They are not the same!

[f.Christian]

Creationists created the secular non ideological state ...

and evolution has redacted - PERVERTED it ---

to perpetuate their cultic fetishes -- egos !

[whattajoke]

Remedial Science 101: This is a fact. This is a theory. They are not the same!

I've posted this before, but I don't recognize your screen name. Enjoy

Often this statement is considered a sufficient dissenting argument. But it really is an expression of ignorance about how science works. I remind you that everything we understand about how things work in this world is ‘theoretical.’ Architects consult architectural theory. Structural engineers designing a bridge consult structural engineering theory. Medical doctors consult medical theory. Repeat, scientific theories are discoveries of how our natural reality is organized. To the extent a theory is useful it will be used. To the extent a theory is not useful it won’t be used. Given the power and utility of the theories that form the foundation of modern, technological civilization, a statement like the one above reflects a failure to understand this.

[Junior]

This is a fact. This is a theory. They are not the same!

Exactly. However, evolution is fact in that it has been observed (organisms changing over generations) and theory(s) in that researchers have postulated a series of mecahanisms to explain these changes. Biology classes should explain the first before tackling the second. They don't however, and the student is left with just enough information to pass his mid-term, but without enough information to really understand what is going on.