Mission library/6th Grade · Science/Press Conference

Mission brief·Press Conference

Nutrition Myth Busters

Students investigate the process of digestion and how the digestive system breaks down food for energy.

Grade6th GradeSubjectScienceDuration40 minClass size28 studentsMethodologyPress Conference

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Learning objectives · 3

Students can engage with: Explain how the digestive system transforms complex food molecules into usable nutrients.
Students can engage with: Analyze the role of different organs in the digestive process.
Students can engage with: Predict the consequences of a malfunction in a key digestive organ.

Before Class

Materials Needed

☐Myth Research CardsIncluded
☐Press Conference Preparation WorksheetsIncluded
☐Journalist Question StemsIncluded
☐Fact-Check ScorecardsIncluded

Space Needed

Panel table at front with microphone area, press corps seating

Topic Overview

Students investigate the process of digestion and how the digestive system breaks down food for energy.

Key Questions

?Explain how the digestive system transforms complex food molecules into usable nutrients.
?Analyze the role of different organs in the digestive process.
?Predict the consequences of a malfunction in a key digestive organ.

About the Methodology

A panel of students takes on roles as historical figures, while the rest of the class acts as journalists from different news outlets (with different biases or perspectives). Journalists prepare pointed questions; the panel must answer in character. The "press" can follow up and challenge answers. Creates accountability, depth, and drama.

Learn about this methodology

Time Range

25-45 min

Group Size

12-35

Space Needed

Panel table at front with microphone area, press corps seating

Bloom’s Level

Apply, Analyze, Evaluate

Fun Factor

Peak Energy Moment

The teacher plays a 'Chaos Agent' Press Secretary, wearing a blazer and using a rolled-up paper as a microphone to introduce the 'Scientific Experts' with over-the-top energy.

The Surprise

Halfway through, the teacher 'breaks' the news that a fictional celebrity just tweeted a new myth, and the class has to do a 30-second 'Rapid Response' to debunk it on the spot.

What to Expect

Students usually love the power dynamic of being 'experts' and the fun of acting like aggressive, skeptical reporters with clipboards.

Mission Timeline

25m

Spark Briefing Action Debrief

Academic Standards

MS-LS1-3

When your class is in the room

Ready to run Nutrition Myth Busters?

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Spark

5 min • Scenario

Read Aloud

You are scrolling through your favorite social media app and see a video from a famous influencer with 10 million followers. They are holding a bright neon blue drink and shouting: 'Stop eating fruit! The sugar in apples is making you tired and slow. Drink Blue-Go instead for instant brain power!'

Teacher Notes

Watch for students who look skeptical versus those who nod. Ask them to show a thumbs up if they would believe this person just because they are famous.

Briefing

5 min

Today you are switching roles between Senior Health Researchers and Investigative Journalists. You will work in teams to dissect a common nutrition myth. Your goal is to find the scientific truth and then defend it during a high-stakes press conference. Journalists, your job is to ask the tough questions to see if these 'experts' actually know their facts.

Group Formation

Divide the class into 7 groups of 4. Assign each group one Myth Research Card.

Materials Needed

Myth Research CardsIncluded
Press Conference Preparation WorksheetsIncluded
Journalist Question StemsIncluded
Fact-Check ScorecardsIncluded

Action

25 min • 100% Physical

Research Teams: Read your Myth Research Card and use the provided facts to fill out the Expert Presentation Outline.

7 min

Circulate to ensure teams are looking at the 'Scientific Reality' section of their cards.

Role Assignment: Within your group, decide who will be the Lead Scientist, the Data Specialist, and the two Spokespeople.

3 min

Encourage quieter students to take the Data Specialist role to manage the evidence.

Journalist Prep: While groups 1-3 prepare to present, groups 4-7 use the Question Stems to write down two 'gotcha' questions.

5 min

Remind journalists that their goal is to seek truth, not just be mean.

Press Conference Round 1: Groups 1-3 present their findings. The rest of the class acts as the press gallery, asking questions and filling out scorecards.

5 min

Use a timer for each group's 'statement' to keep it under 90 seconds.

Press Conference Round 2: Groups 4-7 present their findings while groups 1-3 act as the investigative journalists.

5 min

Keep the energy high by acting as the 'Press Secretary' who calls on reporters.

If things go sideways

▸If a group is stuck, provide them with one specific 'Power Fact' from the teacher guide to boost their confidence.
▸Redirect journalists who ask off-topic questions by pointing them back to the Question Stems card.
▸Provide a pre-filled outline for groups struggling to organize their thoughts quickly.

Differentiation Tips

▸Advanced: Challenge these students to identify the specific marketing tactic (e.g., fear-mongering or celebrity endorsement) used to spread their myth.
▸Struggling: Give these students the 'Expert Presentation Outline' with sentence starters already written in.
▸ELL: Use the visual cues on the Myth Research Cards and allow them to present their 'Data' using a drawing or chart.

Debrief

5 min

Discussion Questions

1
Why do you think companies or influencers spread these nutrition myths in the first place?
2
Which myth surprised you the most, and how will it change what you choose to eat or drink?
3
What is one 'red flag' word or phrase that tells you a health claim might be fake?

Exit Ticket

List two ways you can verify if a nutrition claim you see online is actually true.

Connection to Next Lesson

Now that we can spot fake news in nutrition, next time we will look at how to read the actual labels on the back of the box to find the truth ourselves.

Handouts

4 Materials Needed

Print Materials

01Myth Research Cards
02Press Conference Preparation Worksheets
03Journalist Question Stems
04Fact-Check Scorecards

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