Destroy a fallacy
Choose a common myth, design a simple experiment with household items, collect results, and present clear evidence showing the fallacy is false.
About this activity
Choose a common myth, design a simple experiment with household items, collect results, and present clear evidence showing the fallacy is false.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a common myth you want to test.
- 2
Step 2
Write the myth's short statement at the top of your paper.
- 3
Step 3
Write a simple hypothesis that says what you think will happen if the myth is true.
- 4
Step 4
Choose one clear testable prediction from your hypothesis and write it down.
- 5
Step 5
Pick which household items from the Materials list you will use for your test.
- 6
Step 6
Arrange the chosen materials neatly on a clean table or counter.
- 7
Step 7
Decide the one thing you will change during the experiment and write that as your variable.
- 8
Step 8
Decide what you will keep the same for every trial and write those details as your controls.
- 9
Step 9
Write the exact step-by-step procedure you will follow for each trial.
- 10
Step 10
Draw a simple results table on your paper with spaces for at least three trials.
- 11
Step 11
Run the experiment exactly as written and record each measurement in your results table.
- 12
Step 12
Repeat the experiment so you have at least three trials recorded.
- 13
Step 13
Compare your results to your prediction and write one clear sentence saying whether the myth looks true or false.
- 14
Step 14
Create a simple poster or page that shows the myth statement one drawing or photo of your experiment the results table and your one-sentence conclusion.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you do the 'Destroy a fallacy' activity with a child?
Start by picking a simple, common myth (for example, “you can see the Great Wall from space”). Help your child turn it into a testable question and make a clear hypothesis. Design a safe, repeatable experiment using household items, decide what to measure, and control one variable at a time. Collect results across several trials, record observations, then guide the child to draw a conclusion and present findings with pictures or a short poster explaining why the myth is false.
What materials do I need to destroy a fallacy using a home experiment?
Materials vary by myth, but common supplies include paper and pencil for notes, measuring tools (ruler, measuring cup, stopwatch), clear containers, food coloring, basic kitchen ingredients (water, vinegar, baking soda), tape, a camera or phone to record results, and simple safety gear (glasses, gloves). Also have a clipboard or chart for recording trials. Adapt items to the experiment; always keep adult supervision and avoid hazardous chemicals or risky setups.
What ages is the 'Destroy a fallacy' activity suitable for?
This activity suits a wide age range. Young children (5–7) can observe and test simple myths with heavy adult guidance. Elementary kids (8–11) can follow step-by-step experiments and record basic data. Tweens and teens (12+) can design experiments, control variables, and analyze results more independently. Tailor complexity, explain safety, and supervise any tools or substances; younger kids benefit most from hands-on help and discussion of why the myth is wrong.
What are the benefits of doing a 'Destroy a fallacy' experiment with kids?
This activity builds scientific thinking and skepticism: kids learn to form hypotheses, design tests, and use evidence to support conclusions. It strengthens observation, measurement, and communication skills as children record and present findings. Working together boosts teamwork and confidence, while debunking myths improves media literacy and critical thinking. It’s also a fun way to encourage curiosity and resilience by showing that failed trials still teach important lessons.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
If I don't have a beaker, scale, or thermometer listed in the Materials list, what can I use instead?
Use a clear drinking cup or mason jar as a beaker, a kitchen measuring cup or a stack of identical coins and a ruler for rough mass/volume estimates, and a phone thermometer app or meat thermometer for temperature measurements when picking which household items from the Materials list.
My experiment's numbers keep changing between trials—what should I check to fix this?
If results vary, make sure you followed the exact step-by-step procedure, changed only the single written variable, kept the listed controls identical each trial, measured with the same tool, and recorded each measurement in the results table for at least three trials.
How can I adapt the activity for different ages while still completing the hypothesis and trials?
For younger kids (5–7) simplify the myth and let them draw the hypothesis and do two visible trials with photos for the poster, for 8–11 have them write a short hypothesis, use three trials and fill the simple results table, and for 12+ require a precise testable prediction, use more exact items from the Materials list and run extra trials with brief data notes before creating the poster to share on DIY.org.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the project after finishing the poster?
Extend the activity by testing several related myths, adding graphs made from your results table, including step-by-step photos or a short video of each trial, and decorating or annotating your poster with conclusions and sources before sharing on DIY.org.