Critical Thinking Activity: What Deserves Your Belief?
Updated: September 9, 2026
Type: Critical Thinking Activity
Grade Level: 3-8
Featured on Episode 208 of The STEM Space Podcast, how do we know what we know—and how do we decide whom to trust? In the episode, Claire and Natasha explore the challenge of teaching students to navigate a world filled with misinformation, misleading statistics, and confidently stated “facts.” From questioning commonly held beliefs to evaluating scientific claims, they discuss how educators can move beyond simply teaching students what is true and instead equip them with the critical-thinking skills to evaluate sources, examine evidence, and decide what deserves their belief. Now it’s your turn to help your students think critically with our easy to follow short lesson!
Related Vivify Lessons
This STEM challenge is an out of this world scientific inquiry mission that begins with a breaking news story about life found on Mars! Challenge your students with the mission of determining which given soil sample is from Mars.
Grades: Kindergarten - 5th
Teaching Duration: 1 hour
Everyone knows that engineers are nerdy guys with glasses and scientists always have crazy hair! Help students break down the stereotypes around STEM careers by showing them that anyone, including them, can be an engineer or scientist!
Grades: PreK - 9th
Teaching Duration: 3 days
Do you know who was the first woman VP of the National Aeronautic Association? What about who came up with a system to purify a protein from tuberculosis bacteria that is still used around the world today? Students will have a great time playing this game and learning all about the contributions of these incredible women in STEM! This twist on the classic BINGO will expose students to exciting careers and contributions of women in STEM.
Grades: 3rd - 8th
Teaching Duration: 1 hour
Are You Struggling to Find High-Quality STEM for Your Classroom?
We can help! Move beyond repetitive building activities and elevate your STEM classroom with authentic, inquiry-based units that are standards-aligned and classroom-tested for high-impact STEM learning!
Join today to access 200+ STEM resources and a full-year scope and sequence for grades K - 8 that promotes innovation, problem-solving, and an integrated approach to engineering learning
