astrologymoduleshadowIs there something to astrology? The James Randi Educational Foundation thinks this question is a great way to explore some fundamentals of science and critical thinking in the classroom. Astrology: Superstition or Science? 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 belief in astrology. Students can come to their own conclusions about whether the claims of astrology merit assent, and engage in hands-on experiments about astrological predictions.

Astrology: Superstition or Science? 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 the History and Nature of Science, and does so while presenting a topic of that captures the attention of students from many diverse backgrounds. AAAS Science Literacy Benchmarks addressed in the lesson include The Scientific Worldview, Scientific Inquiry and The Scientific Enterprise.

Astrology: Superstition or Science? can be downloaded here.

This is the fourth in a series of educational modules that the James Randi Educational Foundation make available to educators, students and parents. Future topics will address critical thinking, information and science literacy, and the scientific process through the critical examination of various pseudoscientific and paranormal topics. Previous educational lesson plans produced by the JREF include Do You Have ESP?, The Case of the Cottingley Fairies, and Dowsing: Science or Pseudoscience?.