Print

ESPDo You Have E.S.P.? is a downloadable lesson module for use in high school and junior high school science and psychology classes that allows students to explore the scientific method, critical thinking and parapsycholological research through an examination of the history of possibly flawed research methods of E.S.P. claims. Students can come to their own conclusions about the existence of paranormal abilities as they conduct E.S.P. experiments and learn first-hand about the pitfalls of bias, experimenter error and fraud in the laboratory. Classes may share their results with the James Randi Educational Foundation for publication online and view cumulative data from schools around the country on our website.  

Do You Have E.S.P.? exposes students to concepts identified in the national science content standards and AAAS science literacy benchmarks related to the scientific process, Science as Inquiry, and Science in Personal and Social Perspectives and does so while presenting a topic of great interest to students as a result of E.S.P.'s wide-spread acceptance and its prominent place in popular culture.

 

Do You Have ESP? can be downloaded here.

This is the first of a series of educational modules that the James Randi Educational Foundation plans to make available to educators.  Future topics will address critical thinking, information and science literacy, and the scientific process through the critical examination pseudoscience and the paranormal.

 

Michael Blanford is Director of Educational Programs for the James Randi Educational Foundation.