50 things you can do to encourage critical thinking

I wrote this for Skeptic magazine five years ago. Since then it’s been given as a hand out at conferences and used as a starting point for thinking about ways to promote skepticism (looking at the world from a scientific point of view).

I’ve also included a handy PDF version here: Think Skeptically, Act Locally.pdf

Having a skeptical mind is great. But if your idea of encouraging skeptical thinking is to argue with anybody you can find, you might not be using your critical reasoning abilities to their fullest potential. There are a lot of opportunities out there to help other people develop an understanding of science and an awareness of skepticism. Step outside your local skeptics group and explore some of the ways you can have a positive impact on your community.

The following are just a few ideas on how we can promote critical thinking. My thanks to the many people who’ve offered their input and examples of what they’ve done. This list could be much larger, but there’s enough here for anyone to find a way they can take action.

1. Donate your old copies of Skeptic and Skeptical Inquirer to hospital waiting rooms.

2. Let your friends know when skeptic minded shows are going to air.

3. Invite health care professionals to speak to senior centers about quackery.

4. Start a skeptic book club at your local book store.

5. Put together fax numbers and email addresses of local news reporters and radio personalities. Forward them info on the latest nonsense.

6. Start your own skeptics group for the purpose of sending out press releases.

7. Help organize community events that support science. This can be centered around astronomy, zoology or health.

8. Volunteer to put together a display at your local library on great books of skepticism and science.

9. Start your own public access show. Invite local scientists, educators and writers who demonstrate good skepticism.

10. Submit book reviews to local papers and newsletters on important skeptic books.

11. Create flyers on important relevant skeptic topics and make them distribute them to teachers.

12. Volunteer your services as a speaker to local schools

13. With the co-operation of your local university science departments, create a science telephone line for the media to call with questions.

14. Create a similar line for the general public.

15. Start a skeptic club at your school.

16. Get some friends to contribute and create a skeptical essay scholarship award for local high school students.

17. Buy your friends Skeptic magazines, books and videos for their birthday whether they’ll read them or not.
18. Get a booth at community fairs and events and fill it with information about being a skeptic.

19. Instead of writing to the editor to complain, write to individual reporters to compliment them when they do something good.

20. Prepare fact sheets on health fraud and quackery and give them to doctor’s offices, hospitals and church groups to distribute.

21. Celebrate the birthday of your favorite scientist in a fun way and invite lots of people.

22. Prepare a relevant fact sheet and contact the media whenever a movie is about to be released relating to science or the paranormal.

23. Encourage local mental health professionals to talk to groups on the importance of dealing with grief appropriately.

24. Make friends with your local politicians.

25. Go to school board meetings.

26. Help advise school systems on text books.

27. Speak to PTA groups about critical thinking.

28. Encourage more scientists to show up at career day.

29. Volunteer at your local science museum.

30. Offer to teach a class on skepticism/science appreciation at an adult education center.

31. Give your old science books to science teachers to give to students.

32. Support local science clubs by joining them.

33. Develop special lectures for specific groups (women’s, business, minority, seniors, etc.)

34. Donate subscriptions of Skeptic magazine (and others) to local libraries (with their permission).

35. Arrange showings of skeptic documentaries at your local library or community center.

36. Help distribute fliers when skeptical or science speakers are giving local talks.

37. Donate old computer equipment to skeptic groups, science clubs or youth outreach programs.

38. Set up informal discussion groups for talking about science and skepticism.

39. Arrange field trips for grown ups to science museums.

40. Contribute financially to local science outreach programs.

41. Help write grant proposals for local groups.

42. Buy a telescope. Show it off around your neighborhood.

43. Create a science and skepticism library at community centers.

44. Help tutor students in the sciences.

45. Volunteer to teach at adult literacy programs.

46. Contribute prizes to local school science fairs.

47. Encourage your local libraries video department to carry more science documentaries (offer to buy them).

48. Start an “Ask the Skeptic” column in your local paper or newsletter.

49. Donate money and equipment to local school science departments.

50. Put together a handout on local paranormal legends and their likely explanations for your town’s historical society.