Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 6
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Learning Goals
True or False? Fix the false ones
Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.
A scientific claim must be able to be proven wrong by some possible observation.
Correct it:
Astrology is a science because it studies the stars and planets.
Correct it:
A scientific idea that was later proven wrong and then corrected was still science.
Correct it:
Cherry-picking evidence means using all the data fairly, including results that do not fit.
Correct it:
Scenario
An online seller advertises "energised water" that has been "charged with healing vibrations". The advert shows five glowing five-star reviews, says the science is "too advanced for most labs to detect", and claims a secret recipe passed down for generations.
(a) Identify two pseudoscience red flags in this advert and name each one.
(b) The seller says the effect is "too advanced for labs to detect". Explain why this makes the claim unfalsifiable, and why that is a problem.
(c) Describe a fair test that could properly check whether the "energised water" works better than ordinary water.
1. Using astronomy and astrology, explain why one is a science and the other is a pseudoscience. Refer to whether each makes testable predictions.
2. A person stops taking proven medicine and uses an untested "natural cure" instead. Explain why telling science from pseudoscience matters here, using one health reason and one money reason.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?