Global Warming Swindle
Through this Science upd8 activity students examine the evidence behind opposing views on the cause of climate change. One side says this is a natural phenomenon whilst the other links rises in the Earth's temperature with human emissions of greenhouse gases.
3/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Presentation
Healthy Chocolate
This Science upd8 resource revolves around the concepts of evidence and validity. A chocolate manufacturer claims its new, high cocoa bar is good for your heart. But is it? This is the context for teaching students how to evaluate evidence and the 'how science works' concept of validity. The activity is designed to take…
Is it Terminal for Teflon?
This Science upd8 resource focuses on the chemical PFOA (perflurooctanoic acid), which is used in Teflon manufacture and is reportedly linked with an increase in the risk of developing allergies. In this activity students examine some of the evidence surrounding PFOA and consider a range of viewpoints.
Brain Power Booster
This Science upd8 activity investigates the claim that taking fish oil every day boosts students' school performance. The original study had no control. In this activity, students plan how to get more evidence on the effects of fish oils.
New Womb?
US doctors are planning the world's first ever womb transplant. In this Science upd8 activity, students become an NHS ethics and funding committee. They consider ethical arguments and decide whether or not the NHS should fund non-vital transplants, like those of wombs, hands and faces.
Mobiles for Kids?
This Science upd8 resource examines what proof there is that mobile telephones are harmful. Policy makers usually follow the precautionary principle. They issue warnings at the first hint of danger. Should we take their advice? In this discussion activity, students judge the risks and the strength of the evidence.
Homeopathy
In this Science upd8 activity students analyse information and evidence about homeopathy to decide whether it is based on scientific theory. They then choose the best arguments for and against homeopathy to decide whether they would use it, and whether it should be freely available to all.
Double Blind
This Science upd8 activity draws on clinical trials. Eight young volunteers had been in clinical trials before, but this time things went horribly wrong. Six of the eight were left fighting for their lives. In this discussion activity students consider whether new treatments should be ever tested on human volunteers.
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Cheat
The Science upd8 activity introduces the concept of validity in the design of scientific experiments. Based on the card game 'Cheat', the scenario is a scientific conference where scientists are learning about, and criticising, each others' work. Students have a series of cards which contain different claims and they…
Bulb Danger
This Science upd8 activity draws on a recent Government warning about poisonous mercury from low energy light bulbs being a risk to users. But is this risk worth the benefits of using low energy light bulbs? In this activity students rank risks and benefits to help them decide.
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work