How do we know?
Science skills
Three free lessons for ages 13 to 18
Some of the most shared ocean facts are wrong. Students trace twelve popular claims back to their sources, rank different kinds of evidence, and write and peer-review their own ocean fact post.
- Ages
- 13 to 18
- Time
- About an hour per lesson
- Subjects
- Science, English and media literacy
- Hands-on
- A claims vote, source trail cards, case files and a peer-reviewed fact post
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Lesson 1: Trace the number
Vote on twelve ocean claims, learn four moves for checking them, and follow three real source trails.
- Ages
- 13 to 18 (grades 8 to 12)
- Time
- 60 minutes
- You need
- One claims sheet per student, one trail card per group
-
Lesson 2: Weighing the evidence
Sort types of evidence, then investigate four real cases where ocean science went wrong or was misread.
- Ages
- 13 to 18 (grades 8 to 12)
- Time
- 60 minutes
- You need
- One set of evidence cards per group, the case files sheet
-
Lesson 3: Make a claim you can defend
Reveal the twelve claims, learn what makes a claim trustworthy, then create and peer-review an ocean fact post.
- Ages
- 13 to 18 (grades 8 to 12)
- Time
- 60 to 75 minutes
- You need
- Students' twelve claims sheets from lesson 1, coloured pens, one planner per group, and paper or devices for the posts
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