Primary Type: Lesson Plan
Status: Published
This is a resource from CPALMS (www.cpalms.org) where all educators go for bright ideas!
Resource ID#: 20988
Can You Identify Pseudoscience?
For an idea to be classified as scientific, it must have been subjected to the rigors of scientific inquiry (scientific method).
Subject(s): Science
Grade Level(s): 8
Intended Audience: Educators
Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter,
Internet Connection, LCD Projector
Instructional Time: 52 Minute(s)
Resource supports reading in content area: Yes
Freely Available: Yes
Keywords: Science, pseudoscience
Resource Collection: iCPALMS
LESSON CONTENT
Lesson Plan Template: Learning Cycle (5E Model)
Learning Objectives: What will students know and be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Students will...
classify ideas as either science or pseudoscience
Content statement:
Pseudoscientific ideas are claims made that are often not observable, measurable or logical.
Prior Knowledge: What prior knowledge should students have for this lesson?
SC.5.N.2.1
Guiding Questions: What are the guiding questions for this lesson?
What is science?
How are scientific ideas generated?
What is pseudoscience?
How is science different from pseudoscience?
Engage: What object, event, or questions will the teacher use to trigger the students' curiosity and engage them in the concepts?
Show a PowerPoint about the "dihydrogen monoxide " scare. (This is a parody of pseudoscientific claims.) Ask them to voice their concerns about this scare-are they
concerned?
ScienceintheNews-dihydrogenmonoxide.pptx
Explore: What will the students do to explore the concepts and skills being developed through the lesson?
Present the key question for this lab: Can I identify pseudoscience?
Make sure that students clearly understand the question.
Divide students in to pairs.
Present each with index cards that have the following written on them (on per card):
science
page 1 of 3 pseudoscience
astrology
full moon behavior
Bermuda triangle
crop circles
ufology
magnet therapy
BigFoot
Loch Ness Monster
Have students make one column on their desk labeled"Science", and another labeled"pseudoscience". Place the topics (from the index cards) under the appropriate
column.Direct a class discussion of what was placed in each column (all are pseudoscience).
• Discuss how to tell the difference between science ideas and pseudoscience ideas
Explain: What will the students and teacher do so students have opportunities to clarify their ideas, reach a conclusion or
generalization, and communicate what they know to others?
Analyze and Conclude: In pairs, have the students discuss what would cause an idea to be labeled scientific? pseudo-scientific? What does the prefix "pseudo" mean?
How does that relate to the definition of pseudoscience?
Comparing and Contrasting: Have students write the answers to their discussion in a T-chart.
Checking for student understanding:
Have students write conclusion statements in their science journals. Students should discover the following:
Scientific ideas are measurable, observable and logical.
Pseudoscience ideas are not discovered through scientific methods.
Teacher Explanation:
Science is relies on empirical and measurable data. Pseudo-scientific claims do not.
Elaborate: What will the students do to apply their conceptual understanding and skills to solve a problem, make a decision,
perform a task, or make sense of new knowledge?
A skin cream claims to get rid of wrinkles. How would you be able to know if this is a scientific claim?
Summative Assessment
Summarize the difference between pseudoscience and science.
Formative Assessment
Survey students: Do you think there is information that people believe to be scientific but, in fact, there is no evidence to support it?
Feedback to Students
Ask students questions as they work to categorize science and pseudoscientific ideas.
ACCOMMODATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Accommodations:
Read cards orally.
Group with peer helper.
Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter, Internet Connection, LCD Projector
Special Materials Needed:
Powerpoint - "Dihydrogen Monoxide"
Index card -a set for each pair of students
Markers
Paper
Pencil
SOURCE AND ACCESS INFORMATION
Contributed by: Cynthia Powers
Name of Author/Source: Cynthia Powers
District/Organization of Contributor(s): Lake
Is this Resource freely Available? Yes
Access Privileges: Public
page 2 of 3 License: CPALMS License - no distribution - non commercial
Related Standards
Name
SC.8.N.2.1:
Description
Distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific ideas.
Remarks/Examples:
Science is testable, pseudo-science is not science seeks falsifications, pseudo-science seeks confirmations (e.g.
astrology is pseudoscience).
page 3 of 3