Fluoride Poisoning

Teachers, have you found yourself debunking fake science? Do your students believe in conspiracy theories, superstitions, and myths? Have you heard students make such claims as “Climate change isn’t real, I don't believe in Evolution, Vaccines are unsafe, etc”. If you’ve answered YES to any one of these questions, this lesson is for you! 

In this lesson students will investigate the pseudoscientific claim that Fluoride is Poisonous (specifically the addition to fluoride in drinking water). By analyzing this pseudoscientific claim, students will become familiar with the differences between science and pseudoscience. The lesson will engage students in applying a checklist to spot and identify bad science, and at the conclusion of the lesson, students will apply their new learning to a conspiracy theory or pseudoscientific claim of their choice.