The objective of this webquest is for students to evaluate stories and claims that seem unusual. The students then judge the claim on it's scientific accuracy.
Arizona State Standards Addressed:
Standard One: Science As Inquiry-1SC-E1 Identify a question, formulate a hypothesis, control and manipulate variable, devise experiments, predict outcomes, compare and analyze results, and defend conclusions.
Standard One: Science As Inquiry-1SC-E6 Analyze scientific reports from magazines, television or other media.
Standard Two: History and Nature of Science-2SC-E3 Provide different explanations for a phenomenon; defend and refute the explanations.
Standard Two: History and Nature of Science-2SC-E5 Explain how scientific theory, hypothesis generation and experimentation are interrelated.
General Information
As the webquest discussed, real science involves testing, proof, critical thinking, and skepticism among other things. I am not saying that these claims in the webquest are not real, science just has not accepted them. Extraordinary claims need extraordinary proof. Students must learn to think critically, and examine all claims. This is part of science.
I think it is a good idea to read through this webquest with the students first and show them around the links. Reinforce to students that they are playing the part of a scientist, and that they really need to analyze the claim they investigate scientifically. The student should make his or her own decisions about the claim, but they must use scientific thinking.
Another activity that you could add to this webquest is for students to email questions to scientists about the claim the students are investigating. So far I have found one site that will answer question about unusual claims. The site is The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
Other Useful Links
Below is a list of useful links that address how science is done and some pseudoscience claims.