Name:_______________________________
Date:____________
Period:________
Science vs. Non-Science vs. Pseudoscience
Instructions: Determine whether each statement or field of study is a science, non-science, or
pseudoscience. If it is pseudoscientific, choose a ‘Criteria of Science’ that is being violated and explain
why.
1. “My birthday falls under the sign of Aquarius so I am creative and loyal.”
2. “Snow occurs in temperatures that are 32 degrees F or below.”
3. Ancient Aliens - Proposes that aliens have visited Earth in the past and influenced our civilization
4. “Moses parted the sea with his rod so his people could cross to the other side.”
5. Hinduism – a world religion
6. “The meaning of life can be determined and verified.”
7.
“It’s predicted that the weather on Friday will be a high of 40 degrees F. and rainy.”
8.
Flat Earth Theory - A claim that, since Earth looks and feels flat, it must be flat and disc-shaped
9.
“If you place an inflated balloon at room temperature into a freezer, it will shrink in size.”
10. Lord of the Rings lore – The history and creation story of Middle Earth as written by J.R.R.
Tolkien
11. “I am definitely going to be rich.”
12. “It's always sunny in Southern California.”
13. Cryptozoology - The search for Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, El Chupacabra, and other
mythical creatures
14. The sun warms the Earth unevenly.