Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 6
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the item that does not belong in each group. Then explain why it doesn't fit in the answer column.
| # | Group | Your answer (odd one + reason) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falsifiable Peer reviewed Reproducible Based on testimonials | |
| 2 | Astronomy Evidence-based medicine Astrology Vaccination science | |
| 3 | Cherry-picking Vague shifting claims Never self-corrects Updated by new evidence | |
| 4 | Controlled trial Measured data Repeatable test "Ancient wisdom" proof |
Evaluate the claim
A wellness brand claims...
"Our crystal pendant realigns your body's natural energy and boosts immunity. We know it works because thousands of happy customers say they feel healthier. When someone says it didn't help, that just means their energy was blocked. Doctors won't study it because big pharmaceutical companies don't want you to know the truth."
(a) Identify at least three separate pseudoscience red flags in this claim and name each one.
(b) The claim says a failure "just means their energy was blocked". Explain why this makes the claim impossible to disprove, and why an unfalsifiable claim cannot be scientific.
(c) A friend argues: "Scientists used to be wrong about lots of things, so this crystal claim could be right too." Explain why being wrong-but-correctable is different from pseudoscience, then design a fair test that could properly check whether the pendant boosts immunity. Name the variable you would change, the variable you would measure, and how you would avoid bias.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?