Developing Media Literacy – Student

Summary

This energy language and identifying bias activity is part of the Developing Media Literacy Mini-Unit and helps students recognize how words shape meaning, trust, and impact in conversations about energy and the environment. Students begin by defining common but often vague terms such as sustainable, clean, green, renewable, and net-zero in their own words. Working in groups, they then refine those definitions into clearer, more precise alternatives that reduce ambiguity.

In the second part of the activity, students examine real-world examples—news headlines, social media posts, or ads—to identify vague versus precise language. By rewriting a headline to improve clarity, they practice spotting the difference between persuasive buzzwords and accurate technical descriptions.

The final section introduces bias analysis. Using the Project Look Sharp reference guide, students annotate a current energy-related article to identify signs of bias, evaluate factuality, and support their conclusions with evidence. This exercise strengthens not only their scientific literacy but also their ability to think critically about media in everyday life.

Aligned to NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and AP Environmental Science Science Practice 3, this lesson builds key skills in analyzing claims, evaluating credibility, and communicating conclusions clearly.