What is (and what is not) Science

I can believe anything, provided it is incredible

-Oscar Wilde

Key words or concepts:

Three questions worth asking:

What is Science?
What is not Science?
WHY get an education?

Scientific Method

question
observations
explanations
testing
publish results

Pseudoscience -- pretends to be science without using the scientific method
Examples (pick a few):
Bigfoot (sasquatch)
Monsters
UFOs
Bermuda Triangle
Ancient Astronauts
Lost Continents
Astrology
Pyramid Power
Aura
Crystal Power
Palmstry, numerology, phrenology
ESP
Dowsing (water witching)
Crop circles

How do you recognize pseudoscience?
Comparison of Science and Pseudoscience literature
Professional journals have

author's name
address
academic affiliations
publication history
references to literature
presentation of contrary views
peer review

Answer to third question -- to be able to critically evaluate information.

Useful links:

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