Science Spoilers
| Science Course | |
|---|---|
| Course Code | SPOF |
| Year Opened | 2016 |
| Sites Offered | ALE, GIL, LAJ, SAN |
| Previously Offered | STP |
Course Description
From the CTY Course Catalog (2018):
Is there any truth to the five-second rule? What is the best way to treat a jellyfish sting? What happens when you swallow gum? Do you catch more flies with honey or vinegar? On a hot day, can you fry an egg on the sidewalk? Is yawning contagious? Is it dangerous to talk on your cellphone during a lightning storm? Could a laboratory accident give you super powers?
Using scientific processes, students in this course determine the plausibility of myths like these and uncover the circumstances in which they could be true. For example, students might culture bacteria and determine which household items are truly dirtier than a toilet seat. To gauge the dangers of killer quicksand, students experiment with buoyancy and states of matter. While honing their scientific inquiry skills through these and other laboratory activities, students also discover the origins of these ideas and discuss why they may persist in our society despite scientific evidence to the contrary.
