Planning Your First SkeptiCamp
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- Written by Dale Roy
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 6877
SkeptiCamps are popular events to put on and it is not a mystery why. The idea of an unconference raises the question “How hard can THAT be?”. After all, you don’t need security, you should not need money, it’s what...a glorified skeptics in the pub? If only it really were that easy.
Giants I Have Known
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- Written by James Randi
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 7581
I’ve found that one of the more serious problems that emerge with the onset of age is the fact that my heroes are all leaving. The constellation of wonderful persons I’ve had the privilege of meeting and relating to grows smaller, though I see that at the edges, new novae are always sparkling into existence – which of course provides me with a certain relief.
Gone now is Sir John Maddox, the editor of Nature Magazine who so carefully crafted the JREF's approach to solving the homeopathy farce offered in France. Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman used to call and present me with fascinating observations on the currently-deluded scientists who had made it into the media with bizarre notions of how their craft should be done, but he’s no more with us. And Martin Gardner has left me with so many unanswered questions and observations I’d wish to share with him.
There are quite a few more…
But one giant perhaps best known to the public, that genius named Carl Sagan with whom I shared so many captivating hours, occupies my attention most at this time of the year. I’m one – only one – of a group of persons dedicated to making sure that the USA considers seriously the possibility of making Carl’s birthday, November 9, a nationally-noted occasion. He left us fifteen years ago, yet because of so many great accomplishments, he is still with us via his works. I highly recommend the recently enhanced set of recordings of his epic Cosmos TV series, which so very well demonstrates his charm, wit, and serious approach to being a teacher and an inspiring personality. (The series is available online for free, on sites such as Hulu.com) And any of his 20+ publications, but particularly the books Broca’s Brain [1979] and The Demon-Haunted World [1996] – in my opinion – can serve to launch any sensitive and curious youngster into a scientific career.
This Saturday, here in Broward County, South Florida, we’ll hold the third annual observation of this promotion, and you can see all details at www.carlsaganday.com. If you’re in the area, please join us, won’t you?
Kyle Hill Appointed as JREF Research Fellow
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- Written by JREF
- Category: Latest JREF News
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The JREF is pleased to announce the appointment of Kyle Hill as our latest research fellow, joining Ray Hall, Tim Farley, Karen Stollznow, and Senior Fellow Dr. Steven Novella.
Hill is currently working as a research assistant at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Communication with a focus on science, health, environment, and sustainability. His research is focused on how personal motivations and website characteristics affect the use of critical thinking.
JREF research fellows are skeptical scholars, writers, and leaders who have been recognized by the JREF for their contribution to the skeptical movement. As a fellow, Kyle Hill will conduct research on the ways people process science information they discover online, with the goal of applying his findings to the JREF’s mission of promoting skepticism and critical thinking. Hill will also blog at Randi.org, pilot a “Science and Skepticism 101” educational workshop to present at colleges and conferences, and conduct a census-style large scale survey of the skeptical community in coordination with the JREF. The aggregate results and analysis of the skeptic survey will be made available to the public, to confirm or contradict the skeptical community's "common knowledge" assumptions about who our community and our audiences are, and how they apply their skepticism.
Calling All Educators...
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- Written by Michael Blanford
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 5531
If you are a teacher who makes critical thinking, skepticism, or information literacy part of your curriculum, we want to hear from you. We at the JREF want to learn more about the various resources educators are bringing into the classroom to inform and inspire their students to take a more critical approach to navigating our information-rich world.
It may be YouTube, Scooby-Doo, Flim-Flam!, Encyclopedia Brown, or The Demon Haunted World. Tell us what you are using and how you use it.
Whether you teach kindergarten or graduate school, I know that many have battle-tested lists of books, movies, videos clips, demonstrations, games, and activities used to make the skeptical perspective more accessible and compelling. We are asking that you share those resources with the JREF so that we can create an information base of skeptical teaching tools suited to every age group and educational environment. By compiling an exhaustive list of favorite resources and methods, we can share your great ideas and the benefit of your experience with other teachers and parents in the JREF community and beyond.
Gaining a better understanding of the methods and media that work for teachers will also help the JREF develop new content. We understand that educational materials are only effective if they are actually used, and that time is precious in the modern classroom. Help us find out what works, and why. We know that skepticism offers an abundance of fascinating subject matter with profound intellectual value. Now, we need to find the best means to thoughtfully bring the content to students in ways that are teacher-friendly, make use of technology, and easily integrate with existing curricula.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your syllabus, lesson plans, or a list of favorite books, videos, or websites for students. We look forward to learning from the creative ways you make skepticism part of the classroom experience.
Michael Blanford is the JREF's Director of Educational Programs.
JREF announces new volunteer in the Philippines
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- Written by Brian Thompson
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 11628
People all over the world claim to possess supernatural powers and abilities. From psychics to faith healers to opponents of 
science-based medicine, they gain money and fame due to the extraordinary nature of these claims. The James Randi Educational Foundation offers these claimants a chance to put their powers to the test through the JREF's Million Dollar Challenge, where anyone can apply to win $1 million simply by proving under mutually agreed upon scientific conditions that she or he has supernatural or paranormal abilities. We at the JREF are very excited to announce that Red Tani, a skeptical leader involved with the Filipino Freethinkers, has volunteered to help create a stronger presence for the Million Dollar Challenge in the Philippines.
He is on the lookout for proponents of paranormal belief in his region and will invite these people to apply for the Million Dollar Challenge. Red will also blog here at Randi.org about the many unscientific and unproven claims that wreak havoc on the finances and personal lives of the people in his home country.
This expansion of the JREF's message into the Philippines will help us continue to increase science literacy and critical thinking worldwide, and we could not ask for a better partner in this effort than Red Tani.
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