Join our online Critical Thinking Pilot Program developed in collaboration with the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Nobel Prize Outreach and Global Access Partners.

STANSW has partnered with UC Berkeley, Nobel Prize Outreach and Global Access Partners to provide NSW teachers training on practical activities that encourage critical scientific thinking amongst students.

This pilot program, based on the UC Berkeley’s Scientific Thinking for All – A Toolkit, is designed to equip students with the skills to think critically when using and evaluating information.  

This online 1 hour session will be free for STANSW members. Registrations open January 2026.

2026 Critical Thinking Session 1: Scientific Uncertainty & Probabilistic Reasoning.

How do you address scientific uncertainty when investigating claims about air quality?

Scientific investigations try to answer questions about the natural world, such as identifying components of Earth’s atmosphere and how air quality affects health. This can involve a certain amount of scientific uncertainty. Uncertainty in science can come from incomplete information or scientific errors.

In this unit, students will explore air quality data to learn how to identify uncertainty and errors in science. By recognizing these uncertainties and errors, they will learn how to reduce them and become more sure of their findings. They will use probabilistic reasoning to make predictions, such as the likelihood of wildfire spread. Students will also look for meaningful signals in data and understand how false positives and false negatives can influence decisions. Throughout the unit, students will apply these conceptual tools
to air quality issues at both the local and global levels.

Resources: Unit 3: Scientific Uncertainty & Probabilistic Reasoning – Scientific Thinking for All: A Toolkit

STANSW is a NESA recognised PD provider. This online session can be logged as 1 hour of PD towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.