Contextualization

Scientific thinking has become one of the main ways we understand our world and make progress in modern society. However, it has not always been the primary way of thinking. For many centuries, common sense was the main source of knowledge.

Common sense is based on untested beliefs and assumptions that are passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, it can be vague, inconsistent, and, in some cases, completely wrong. On the other hand, scientific thinking is based on methodologies, experiments, and reproducible results. This makes it much more reliable and accurate than common sense.

Understanding the difference between common sense and scientific thinking is an essential step in becoming a critical thinker. Not only does science help us understand the world, but it can also challenge our common sense beliefs and move us towards a better future.

The opposition between scientific thinking and common sense is fundamental to our understanding of the world and the challenges we face as a society. Common sense can be an obstacle to scientific thinking and progress. On the other hand, scientific thinking can help us overcome the limitations of common sense and improve our lives and the world around us.

To delve deeper into the subject, we suggest some resources:

• Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction by Alex Rosenberg. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the main dilemmas and theories in the philosophy of science.

• What is Common Sense? by Rubem Alves. Alves discusses the origin of common sense and its relationship to scientific knowledge.

• The Science and Philosophy of the Human Brain. This is a free online course offered by Harvard University that explores the scientific and philosophical foundations of human thought.

Hands-on Activity

Activity Title

"Think, Create, Experiment, and Argue: Confronting Common Sense with Scientific Thinking"

Project Goal

The goal of this project is for students, working in groups of 3 to 5, to engage in experimentation and argumentation processes to challenge or confirm common sense claims using the scientific method. At the end of the activity, each group will present a detailed report on the experiment.

Detailed Project Description

• Step 1: Topic Selection – Each group should choose a common sense idea to test. Examples: "Sugar makes children hyperactive", "Taking vitamin C prevents illness", "People with cold hands have warm hearts", etc.

• Step 2: Hypothesis Generation – Based on the chosen idea, the groups should develop hypotheses that will allow them to test it.

• Step 3: Experiment Planning – The groups should define how they will test the formulated hypothesis, identifying variables, procedures, and data collection and analysis methods.

• Step 4: Experiment Execution – Execution of the experiment planned in the previous step.

• Step 5: Results Analysis and Documentation – Review of the data collected, analysis, and conclusions. Production of a complete documentation of the experiment, from topic selection to conclusion analysis.

Required Materials

Materials will vary according to the planned experiment. However, all groups will need office supplies (paper, pens, etc.) to document their activities, as well as access to a computer with an internet connection for research and report preparation.

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Group Formation: Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Topic Selection: Choose a common sense statement that you would like to test and justify your choice.
3. Hypothesis Generation: Formulate one or more hypotheses that can be tested through experimentation.
4. Experiment Planning: Plan an experiment to test your chosen hypothesis.
5. Experiment Execution: Conduct your planned experiment, carefully documenting all steps.
6. Results Analysis and Documentation: Analyze the data collected, draw conclusions, and document the process.

Project Deliverables

Each group must submit a report at the end of the process containing:

• Introduction: Should contain a contextualization of the chosen theme and justification for the choice. Explain the relevance of the topic and the objective of the project.

• Development: Describe the theory related to the chosen topic, explain in detail the activity carried out, the methodology used, the data collected, and the results obtained.

• Conclusion: Review the main points of the work, describing the main learnings and the conclusions about the common sense statement tested.

• Bibliography: References to books, websites, videos, and any other materials used during the elaboration of the project.

This report should reflect both the project process and its findings, focusing on the critical analysis of the confrontation between common sense and scientific thinking. We encourage the creative incorporation of graphs, images, and tables in the report for a clear and engaging visual presentation.