A CLASSROOM EXERCISE TO TEACH UNDERGRADUATES TO CRITICALLY THINK USING PRIMARY SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

Critically thinking about scientific data to form opinions on controversial issues in environmental health is crucial in undergraduate education in environmental health. An assignment paired with a classroom activity was designed to impart knowledge on how to search the primary literature and extract data that can help formulate a point of view on several environmental health topics including endangered species designation, genetic engineering, organic farming, population control, worldwide banning of DDT, mining/drilling, sushi, nationalized health care. Data are presented that show the assignment was effective in motivating critical thinking and making students take sides on these issues based on data that may impact their lives and political choices in the future.