• Understanding Astrology!
    (Adapted: without lab activity)

    zodiac
    Please answer these questions in your journals.

    Answer the following question without looking up any information.

    1. What do you know about Astrology?  What is it all about?

    Retracted lab investigation that needed to be done as a class.
    Adapted below for Madden.

    Your astrology sign depends on your date of birth.

    Aries: March 21–April 19
    Taurus: April 20–May 20
    Gemini: May 21–June 20
    Cancer: June 22–July 22
    Leo: July 23–August 22
    Virgo: August 23–September 22
    Libra: September 23–October 22
    Scorpio: October 24–November 21
    Sagittarius: November 22–December 21
    Capricorn: December 22–January 19
    Aquarius: January 20–February 18
    Pisces: February 19–March 20 

    Go to this website and find your horoscope.
    https://www.horoscope.com/us/horoscopes/general/index-horoscope-general-daily.aspx

    2. Rate your horoscope on an accuracy scale from 1-10 (10 being the best) and describe why you gave it that rating.

    Then, watch the video below.

    3.  Please re-rate your horoscope and describe what you learned.

     

    The Barnum Effect is the observation that individuals will give high accuracy ratings to personality descriptions that supposedly are tailored specifically for them but are, in fact, vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people.
    This effect can partially explain the widespread acceptance of some beliefs and practices, such as astrology and fortune-telling.

    4. Has your astrology sign changed over the last 2,000 years? Why?

    newsigns

    Take notes on the videos below.
    Note what you find interesting.

    Answer these questions in your journals.
    5. How does the position of the Earth determine your sun sign?
    6. Who really benefits from the writing and distribution of horoscopes?
    7. Has this activity changed the way you think about astrology?  Why or why not?
    8. Is Astrology science? Explain.
    9. Why do you think that so many people believe in astrology?
    10. What if your best friend found out that, according to astrology, your star signs were not compatible? How do you think that information would affect your relationship if they were a firm believer in astrology?

     Supplemental Reading!
    Astronomical Society of the Pacific
    Your Astrology Defense Kit by Andrew Fraknoi  

    The Tenets of Astrology

    The basis of astrology is disarmingly simple: a person's character and destiny can be understood from the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the moment of his or her birth. Interpreting the location of these bodies using a chart called the horoscope, astrologers claim to predict and explain the course of life and to help people, companies, and nations with decisions of great import.

    Implausible as such claims may sound to anyone who knows what and how distant the Sun, Moon, and planets are, according to recent surveys, a significant portion of teenagers in the United States believe in astrology, with estimates suggesting that around 65% of people between 14 and 29 years old read their horoscope daily, and a large number of them believe the zodiac can influence life decisions; this trend is particularly strong among Gen Z and Millennials, with many using astrology to guide career and relationship choices.  Thousands worldwide base crucial medical, professional, and personal decisions on advice from astrologers and astrological publications daily.

    The details of its precise origins are lost in antiquity, but astrology is at least thousands of years old and appears in different forms in many cultures. It arose when humankind's view of the world was dominated by magic and superstition, and the need to grasp the patterns of nature was often of life-and-death importance.

    In this context, a system connecting the bright planets and "important" constellations with meaningful life questions was appealing and reassuring. (Astrologers believe that the important constellations are the ones the Sun passes through during a year; they call these the zodiac constellations.) Even today, despite so much effort in science education, astrology's appeal to many people has not diminished. For them, thinking of Venus as a cloud-covered desert world as hot as an oven is far less attractive than seeing it as an aid in deciding whom to marry.

    Reflection
    What have you learned, and what are your thoughts about this investigation?

    Bonus Opportunity
    Answer the following on a sheet of paper.

    Excerpt from a keynote address Berkeley, California Author: Jere H. Lipps
    (link to the entire keynote address)

    The general public sees science as difficult, boring, and often useless. But let me show you a different view. Our graduates know this already. Science is fun; science is creative; science is so satisfying. It's a good life.

    Scientific literacy provides far more than knowledge and a way to view the world. It provides enjoyment of life as well. So what is scientific literacy? It is basically three things mixed with an assortment of facts: It is critical thinking, evidential reasoning, and evaluation of authority plus whatever scientific facts you think are particularly important.

    Critical thinking involves eight skills, the most important of which are to avoid emotional thinking, determine biases, consider other interpretations, and, perhaps, the most important, tolerate uncertainty.

    Evidential reasoning includes six rules. Any claim must be falsifiable in theory, the argument must be logical, it must be comprehensive, honest, and the evidence must be replicable. Most importantly here, it must be sufficient. In other words, extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence. Don't be fooled by the person who claims to have an alien in his garage when he shows you a blurry picture. Demand that he show you an arm, leg, head, or DNA from his alien, if it has any. Similarly, demand evidence from your doctor, auto repairman, insurance man, realtor, teacher or whoever, that their claims are underpinned by sufficient evidence to support their claims.

    Lastly, question the authorities. Do they practice critical thinking and evidential reasoning?

    If not, don't believe them. Do they have the proper credentials? If not, don't believe them. Do they have appropriate employment? If not, question them.

    If you do these things, your lives will be happier, just like the people up here and the students down there, and your checkbook will be fuller. You will vote more wisely, you will decide more sensibly about your own lives, and you will live more comfortably with your surroundings. And especially, you will likely get and keep excellent jobs that you actually enjoy. Our graduates have a significant advantage over most other Americans because they are scientifically literate.

    And I hope that at least a few of you graduates will take my words here to heart and think hard about how to improve scientific literacy in America. You have the tools to change our world, just like other past Berkeley graduates. Our nation deserves it, and you deserve it. Do not let Carl Sagan's "prescription for disaster" come true! Change the world. You can do it.

    Please answer these questions in your journal.

    1. Using evidence from the reading, explain how the author thinks the general public views science.

    2. According to the author describe at least three ways that being scientific literate will help you in your life.

    3. Which of the points mentioned by the author do you think will be most helpful in your future?  Explain why.