Horoscope activity Prepared and contributed by Nancy Power

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Block 1 2 3 4 6 Hits Misses 17 15 18

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

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