Is that weird tidbit you heard science fact or science false? As part of scientific literacy, we want kids to think critically about what they hear and be able to tell research whether it is the real deal or a pile of myths.
Is it a fact or myth?
Pick one of these statements about space to investigate and declare it FACT or MYTH!
- Plants can’t defend themselves from herbivores
- Ecosystems are constantly changing
Parents/Teachers
- Print the Fact or Myth sheet
- Present the statement
- ONLY use the provided resources and helps if the kids are really stuck
- Discuss with the kids what they’ve found!
Kids
- Fill in the “prediction” portion of the Fact or Myth sheet first
- Investigate the statement
- List your sources and fill in the “reality” portion of the Fact or Myth sheet
Fact or Myth ANSWERS
The kids need to have the skills to research the truth behind these statements but we’ve put together a little cheat sheet for you parents 😉 You can use the resources below to nudge the kids in the right direction if they need it.
These are all online resources but we also suggest you hit your local library to find books on the same subject and search for answers there too.
Plants can’t defend themselves from herbivores – MYTH
- An Overview of Plant Defenses against Pathogens and Herbivores from Iowa State University
- Botanical Barbarity: 9 Plant Defense Mechanisms from Britannica – includes photos of the different plant mechanisms
- Plant Defenses Against Herbivory from the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science – a great video with fun graphics
- The Amazing Ways Plants Defend Themselves Valentin Hammoudi from TED-Ed – an animated video with awesome information
Ecosystems are constantly changing – FACT
- Ecological Succession from Britannica – an interesting article with videos included
- Evolving in the Presence of Fire from NASA Earth Observatory
- Ecological Succession from Khan Academy
