Activity:  Introduction to Peer Review in Science

Pre-Activity:  Creation of a newsletter on a topic pertaining to the science of seals.

Do Now:  What would you look for in a piece of outreach material to make a positive judgement? 

Aim:  Discussion of Peer-Review in Science.

Major Assignment:  Learn how science theories and proposals are accepted, modified, or rejected.

Processes, Skills, Goals:  Analysis of the creative expressions of people in terms of judgement of efficacy.

Content:  The ongoing development of science as a jury of our peers.

Instructions:  Take the creation of outreach materials to the next level - do people believe you?  Lead students through a discussion of science as an ongoing process of development, with new evidence refining old theories.

Materials:  Slideshow of directions on how peers review papers and strengths and weaknesses of the process.

Guiding Questions:  How did people come to believe that the earth is round?  How do we know that the earth revolves around the sun?  What is a jury of our peers?  Why is it a cornerstone of democracy?  Who are your science peers?  Who are mine?  Who are my professor's?  How does the choice of peers affect the process of analysis?

Homework:  Prepare your newsletter for peer review.