1. Horoscope activity
Prepared and contributed by Nancy Power

2. Science is . . .
Limited to the natural world Observable Testable/disprovable Measurable Repeatable Modifiable Verifiable Built upon testable predictions Based on experimentation

3. Science is (continued) . . .
Open to change
Biased (in spite of trying not to be)
Objective
Made stronger when different lines of evidence support the same theory
A search for understanding

4. Science is NOT . . . Based on proof (It is never a closed case.)
Based on belief or faith
Based on authority
Decided by law or compelling speeches
A search for “truth,” which means different things to different people
Certain or absolute
Fair

5. Science is NOT . . . Able to solve all problems
Just a collection of facts
Democratic

6. Non-science & Pseudo-science
Non-science includes mysterious or supernatural forces, which cannot be disproven.
Pseudo-science is when a concept is claimed to have scientific support, yet does not survive scientific testing.

7. Horoscope experiment
Question: Are the Sun-Sign traits accurately associated with their respective birth dates?
Hypothesis: The proportion of students whose personality traits match their birth sign will be significantly greater than that due to chance.

8. Procedures:
Read the handout and decide which set of traits you identify with the most.
On the small piece of paper, write 3 things:
Your birthday
ONE code number for the traits that BEST describe you
Whether you think astrology can give accurate information about personalities (YES or NO)
Fold the paper ONCE and turn it in.

9. Key to sun-sign dates # Dates Sun sign 1 March 21 – April 19 Aries 2
April 20 – May 20
Taurus 3
May 21 – June 21
Gemini 4
June 22 – July 22
Cancer 5
July 23 – August 22
Leo 6
August 23 – September 22
Virgo 7
September 23 – October 22
Libra 8
October 23 – November 21
Scorpio 9
November 22 – December 21
Sagittarius 10
December 22 – January 19
Capricorn 11
January 19 – February 18
Aquarius 12
February 19 – March 20
Pisces

10. Procedures (continued)
Write “hit” or “miss” on the paper you received. (“Hit” if the birthday matched the code #, “Miss” if it did not)
Teacher takes tally by students raising hands.
Do similar tally of “yes” and “no.”
Fill out worksheet with your seat partner, to be turned in with pink sheet by end of class. If time allows, discuss your answers with another pair of students.

11. Block 1 2 3 4 6
Hits
Misses 17 15 18

12. Block 1 2 3 4 5
Yes 6 10 No 12 9

13. Is astrology science, non-science or pseudo-science?
Do Sunsets, Souls & Senses worksheet if time allows.