From the TES. Conspiracy theories, creationism and 9/11 can help children to evaluate evidence, expert argues Original paper headline: Fakery, wackery and tragedy: all grist to the mill in science teaching Internet conspiracy theories and the controversy over creationism should be embraced as opportunities to engage pupils in scientific theory and critical thinking, according to a leading science educationalist. Anu Ojha, head of education at the National Space Centre in Leicester, argues that the tactic is the best way to “guide our children through the labyrinth of information, misinformation, claim and counterclaim which characterises scientific discourse in the media and online”. He says that the internet is the main source for scientific, societal and political information for the new generation of “21st century citizens”, born from 1995 onwards. That leaves them susceptible to unsubstantiated claims such as the idea that the moon landings were faked - believed by a quarter of the
Stephen Law is a philosopher and author. Currently Director of Philosophy and Cert HE at Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. Stephen has also published many popular books including The Philosophy Gym, The Complete Philosophy Files, and Believing Bullshit. For school talks/ media: stephenlaw4schools.blogspot.co.uk Email: think-AT-royalinstitutephilosophy.org