Generation Skeptics https://generationskeptics.org Generation Skeptics offers teachers free lessons plans for teaching about misinformation, healthy skepticism, and fake news. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:43:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.5 https://centerforinquiry.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/07/06181115/cropped-gen-skeptics-logo-color-notag-32x32.png Generation Skeptics https://generationskeptics.org 32 32 Gr 3-6 The Noise War: Detectives of Truth https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/02/gr-3-6-the-noise-war-detectives-of-truth/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/02/gr-3-6-the-noise-war-detectives-of-truth/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:53:28 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1809 This lesson teaches students that the internet can be misleading and that their brains can be tricked by exciting or viral content. Using simple rules—stop, check, and ask questions—students practice evaluating websites, videos, and claims (like “free chocolate”) to identify risks and false information. Through activities and games, they build habits of verifying before believing or sharing.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/02/gr-3-6-the-noise-war-detectives-of-truth/feed/ 0 Gr 6-12 The Noise War: Think like a Journalist and Verify like a Skeptic. https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/01/the-noise-war-think-like-a-journalist-and-verify-like-a-skeptic/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/01/the-noise-war-think-like-a-journalist-and-verify-like-a-skeptic/#respond Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:36:30 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1801 Learn how to spot fake news in an age of AI and social media echo chambers. Students will examine real-world cases like the 2023 Bridgeton fake AI shooting, learn how algorithms manipulate our emotions, and master a simple 3-step framework to verify what they see online.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/04/01/the-noise-war-think-like-a-journalist-and-verify-like-a-skeptic/feed/ 0 AI Check: Video Claims: Can You Trust this Video? https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/27/ai-check-video-claims-can-you-trust-this-video/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/27/ai-check-video-claims-can-you-trust-this-video/#respond Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:21:31 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1784 Students use AI and critical thinking to distinguish between evidence-based, misleading, and pseudoscientific claims in online videos. Learn more about our fact-checking resources with our video, Using AI Responsibly.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/27/ai-check-video-claims-can-you-trust-this-video/feed/ 0 AI Check- Exercise Science or Exercise Nonsense? https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/26/ai-check-exercise-science-or-exercise-nonsense/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/26/ai-check-exercise-science-or-exercise-nonsense/#respond Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:38:40 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1769 This lesson teaches students to critically evaluate fitness and nutrition claims by identifying red flags, using AI tools responsibly, and verifying evidence with credible scientific sources. Learn more about our fact-checking resources with our video, Using AI Responsibly.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/26/ai-check-exercise-science-or-exercise-nonsense/feed/ 0 Fact or Fiction in the Age of AI https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/12/fact-or-fiction-in-the-age-of-ai/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/12/fact-or-fiction-in-the-age-of-ai/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:21:09 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1748 Can you tell if a photo is real or AI-generated? What should we ask ourselves before believing what we are seeing these days? What are the ethical questions surrounding AI-generated photos? Learn about this lesson and other Generation Skeptics lessons on our YouTube page.

If you prefer the PowerPoint version of the classroom slides where the answers (real or AI) pop up over each photo as you go along, send a request to Bertha Vazquez at bvazquez@centerforinquiry.org.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/03/12/fact-or-fiction-in-the-age-of-ai/feed/ 0 Bellringer-Curve Your Thinking https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/30/bellringer-curve-your-thinking/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/30/bellringer-curve-your-thinking/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:14:42 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1739 In this bellringer, students cut out and compare a single curve, confidently judging whether it is longer or shorter than others as they move around the room. When they discover all curves are the same length, they confront how context distorts perception. The lesson uses this shared error to spark reflection on flawed thinking, misinformation, and the importance of intellectual humility across disciplines.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/30/bellringer-curve-your-thinking/feed/ 0 DebunkBot!! https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/22/debunkbot/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/22/debunkbot/#respond Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:46:41 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1732 DebunkBot was developed by researchers committed to understanding how beliefs are formed—and how thoughtful conversation can help people reconsider them. Educators have found it to be an effective and reliable tool for helping students examine and challenge misinformation on topics ranging from Bigfoot to GMOs.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/22/debunkbot/feed/ 0 Homeopathy, Medicine or Magical Thinking? https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/14/homeopathy-medicine-or-magical-thinking/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/14/homeopathy-medicine-or-magical-thinking/#respond Wed, 14 Jan 2026 01:51:07 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1706 This lesson on homeopathy is designed to help students practice real scientific and digital-literacy skills by learning how to evaluate health claims they will encounter in the real world. Learn more about this homeopathy lesson on our YouTube page.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/14/homeopathy-medicine-or-magical-thinking/feed/ 0 Power, Propaganda, and the Pig’s Playbook: Animal Farm Through the Lens of Misinformation https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/08/teaching-animal-farm-with-a-modern-misinformation-twist/ https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/08/teaching-animal-farm-with-a-modern-misinformation-twist/#respond Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:19:28 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1702 Unit Rationale

Rather than focusing on Animal Farm as a Cold War or Russian Revolution allegory, this unit positions Orwell’s novel as a manual for understanding how language, fear, repetition, and information control shape belief. Students will examine how power is maintained through misinformation ecosystems—both in the novel and in their own media environments.

]]> https://generationskeptics.org/2026/01/08/teaching-animal-farm-with-a-modern-misinformation-twist/feed/ 0 Do Smarties Make You Smarter? https://generationskeptics.org/2025/12/08/not-all-studies-are-created-equal/ https://generationskeptics.org/2025/12/08/not-all-studies-are-created-equal/#respond Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:00:22 +0000 https://generationskeptics.org/?p=1677 or, Not All Studies Are Created Equal

Students learn to identify the important components of a scientific study by reviewing the 4 simple, yet flawed studies presented in this lesson. This lesson can be presented as 6 separate bellringer activities (one study at a time, followed by lesson parts 2 and 3) or as a whole lesson. For additional content on experimental design and the importance of the double-blind protocol, try our lesson Words Have Power Over Rice.

This lesson was inspired by the work of Timothy Redmond

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