Press Conference
Nutrition Myth Busters
40 min28 students6th GradeBloom’s Level: Apply, Analyze, Evaluate
Before Class
Materials Needed
- ☐Myth Research Cards
- ☐Press Conference Preparation Worksheets
- ☐Journalist Question Stems
- ☐Fact-Check Scorecards
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 methodologyTime 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
5m
5m
25m
5m
Spark Briefing Action Debrief
Academic Standards
MS-LS1-3
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 Cards
- •Press Conference Preparation Worksheets
- •Journalist Question Stems
- •Fact-Check Scorecards
Action
25 min • 100% Physical
17 min
Research Teams: Read your Myth Research Card and use the provided facts to fill out the Expert Presentation Outline.
Circulate to ensure teams are looking at the 'Scientific Reality' section of their cards.
23 min
Role Assignment: Within your group, decide who will be the Lead Scientist, the Data Specialist, and the two Spokespeople.
Encourage quieter students to take the Data Specialist role to manage the evidence.
35 min
Journalist Prep: While groups 1-3 prepare to present, groups 4-7 use the Question Stems to write down two 'gotcha' questions.
Remind journalists that their goal is to seek truth, not just be mean.
45 min
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.
Use a timer for each group's 'statement' to keep it under 90 seconds.
55 min
Press Conference Round 2: Groups 4-7 present their findings while groups 1-3 act as the investigative journalists.
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.
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