Do Corporations Have an Obligation to Share Their Research?
Provided by: Project Look Sharp |Published on: April 27, 2021
Lesson Plans
6789101112AP
Synopsis
In this media literacy activity, students will analyze two video clips about Exxon's 1980s scientific research, which indicated a link between fossil fuels and rising global temperatures.
The videos make different claims as to the relevancy of the research and why Exxon chose to keep the information away from the public.
Students will investigate how the video producers' intentions and goals shaped the information in each video.
The lesson plan includes discussion questions for several academic subjects.
This lesson requires students to think critically about where information comes from and how the producer's intentions shape the viewer's understanding of the topic.
Additional Prerequisites
Teachers must create a free account to access the materials.
Teachers should research the sources so they are aware of their viewpoints and biases.
For more information about climate change misinformation, have students watch this video by the Climate Reality Project.
Differentiation
Students can respond to questions individually or in small groups before discussing their answers as a class.
Social studies classes could debate whether corporations are responsible for divulging information that could affect the well-being of people or the environment.
Science classes can evaluate the claims made in the two videos and discuss the way that scientific findings are generally shared with the scientific community and the public.
Other resources on this topic include this lesson on misinformation about climate change, this activity on identifying climate myths, and this NowThis Earth video on greenwashing.
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About the Partner Provider
Project Look Sharp
Project Look Sharp is a nonprofit, mission-driven outreach program of Ithaca College. Their mission is to help K-16 educators enhance students' critical thinking, metacognition, and civic engagement through media literacy materials and professional development.
Related Teaching Resources
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