Young Inquiring Minds: the JREF Visits Camp Inquiry 2012 [PHOTOS]
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- Written by Carrie Poppy
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Only at Camp Inquiry can you turn to a room of 7-11 year olds, ask, "who knows what scientific replication is?" And hear three kids say in unison, "redooooo!"
This last week was my first visit to the summer camp in western New York state, which emphasizes science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. The JREF is a proud co-sponsor of the camp, and I had come to join James Randi in teaching the young scientists about skepticism, and to commune with some of the brightest young minds in the country.
Approaching the camp, I was flooded with the energy of the place. Kids bounced in their seats, scarfing down breakfast so they could get to their first activity. Karen Strachan, the Camp Director, called them to order so that the younger children could enjoy their first lesson with me: the story of the Cottingley Fairies. Using the JREF's educational module on the subject (get your own free here!), I led them through this fascinating tale of childhood trickery.
The story of the Cottingley Fairies is a wonderful true story of two young girls who tricked their parents (and several prominent figures of the day) into believing that there were fairies living in their garden, using a 1917 version of hoax photography. The campers and I discussed what this story can teach us about asking for evidence, and not trusting everything we see. I was charmed and impressed by these intelligent kids, who immediately picked apart the flaws in how the adults in the story evaluated the evidence. "They shouldn't have believed the girls unless they saw the fairies themselves!" said one young boy.
Next, it was time to make our own hoax photos. Using modern photography programs like Photoshop could produce some pretty convincing "ghost" or "fairy" photos, but we wanted to make it a little more challenging, so we started with the same materials the girls in the Cottingley Fairies case used: drawings on paper. The campers drew their favorite mythical creatures; fairies were popular, as were ghosts, unicorns and mermaids. Then they cut them out and we decided together how to best take a photo of the cutout to make it look real. Some of the results were quite impressive.
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Science versus Pseudoscience: Do You Know What You Think You Know?
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- Written by Dr. Karen Koy
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The JREF is proud to announce a continuing series on randi.org featuring articles by skeptical teachers exploring critical thinking in the classroom, using the investigation of the paranormal, fringe science, and pseudoscience to teach methods of science and reason. We welcome feedback, discussion, and further suggestions from educators and parents in the comments section. If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Bob Blaskiewicz.
Two years ago, looking to branch out from the life & earth sciences, I signed up to teach a class for our Honors program. As a part of their Honors requirements, students must take at least two Honors colloquia. These are small classes (maximum 15 students) that meet two hours a week. The topics are chosen by the instructor, and tend to be specific subjects not covered by classes within the course catalogue (for example, the Sixties alternative music scene or the life & philosophy of Charles Darwin). Having always wanted to teach a skepticism class, I thought this was the perfect chance to try it out.
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Last Week At Science-Based Medicine
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- Written by Dr. Harriet Hall
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Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo in medicine.
The mammography wars heat up again (2012 edition) (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-mammography-wars-heat-up-again-2012-edition/ The benefits of mammography are confounded by issues such as lead time and length bias that make it difficult to tell if mammography saves lives and, if it does, how many. The Komen foundation continues to oversell screening mammography. Their arguments are based on oversimplification and misinterpretation of the evidence.
ASEA: Another Expensive Way to Buy Water (Harriet Hall) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/asea-another-expensive-way-to-buy-water/ ASEA is a supplement marketed with imaginative pseudoscientific jargon. They claim it promotes health through redox signaling molecules. It doesn’t; it couldn’t possibly; it’s nothing but salt water.
This Week In Doubtful News
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- Written by Sharon Hill
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Here is a rundown of the top stories in pseudoscience and paranormal news from the past week courtesy of Doubtful News.
Last week was full of monster sightings. Continuing that trend was a mysterious trail cam photo from Alberta. Instead of seeing a rabbit or duck, dependent upon how you look at it, you can either see a lounging Sasquatch or a bear's rear end. The mystery is in the eye of the beholder.
A near-death experience researcher is charged with child abuse for allegedly "water boarding" his daughter. But, this story is a bit more convoluted than that. We'll have to wait for more of the story to emerge before it can be ascertained what really went on.
Self-styled historian and evangelical Christian minister, David Barton found himself exposed this week as NPR revealed the controversial story told in his book, The Jefferson Lies. As a consequence, the publisher pulled the book.
The Bob Larson Show
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- Written by Dr. Karen Stollznow
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The seminar was a thinly veiled book tour for Larson’s 30th title: Demon Proofing Prayers – Bob Larson’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare. He urged everyone to buy a copy, and told us that our attendance would be virtually useless without it. The seminar was also an introduction to Larson’s demon-destroying debutantes, the “Teenage Exorcists”.2 This trio of precocious protégés includes Larson’s daughter Brynne, and sisters Tess and Savannah Scherkenback (who is more twenty-something than teenage). Larson is grooming these girls to help head his ministry. Meanwhile, he is producing new exorcists the world over with his International School of Exorcism.3 His online institution teaches courses in curse breaking and procedures for casting out demons.
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