teaching skepticism: how to get kids to think critically

Teaching Skepticism:How to Get Kids to Think Critically

What’s this all about, anyway?

• Teaching as an art & science• Pick your battles• Keeping it fun – humor helps!• Combine wonder & skepticism• Stories are important!• Make many resources available• Follow-up with curious students• Don’t expect educational “miracles” – Take

what you can get

There’s a Dragon in My Garage!

Physics is Phun: Combine Wonder & Skepticism

Pyramids & “Alien Builders”

The Haunted Physics Lab

Randi’s “Secrets of the Psychics”

The Physics of Santa ClausIn conclusion -- If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas eve, he’s now dead.

Electromagnetism & EMFs

Illusions & Pareidolia

Large Hadron Collider & Doomsday?

Physical Feats: A Sacrifice for Science!

Breaking Boards

Walking on Broken Glass

The Bed of Nails

When Good Demos Go Bad…

• Critical Thinking Education Group (CTEG) – CTEG seeks to promote lifelong critical thinking and learning, with an emphasis on teaching critical thinking in all levels of education…

http://www.criticalteaching.org

• The Skeptical Teacher – My personal musings on science, education & skepticism in an age of woo…

http://skepticalteacher.org

Shameless Plug…