Join our online scientific critical thinking network 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 online 1 hour session is free for STANSW members. 

2026 Critical Thinking Session 2: Investigating Evidence for Causation

In this session, we will demonstrate a unit in which students are introduced to essential concepts related to causal reasoning in the context of scientific research on well-being. They explore cause-and-effect relationships by investigating how different strategies impact a person’s overall well-being. Students learn causal reasoning by identifying alternative explanations, such as unnoticed variables or random chance, and by using indicators of causation such as association, plausible mechanisms, and timing. They practice how to distinguish correlation from causation and explore how scientists apply these methods in research, including through randomised controlled trials. These skills help students evaluate both everyday claims and scientific data, enabling them to make better-informed decisions for themselves and their communities.

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.

Members – please login to register for a ticket.