About This Blog
Greetings and welcome to the Skeptical Teacher blog. I’m a high school physics teacher (plus a part-time physics & astronomy college professor) with a strong interest in promoting science education & critical thinking among my students and the population in general. I am a self-described skeptic, someone who believes in Carl Sagan’s adage that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
The purpose of this blog is to allow me to expound upon various topics related to skepticism, science, and education. Some of my posts will be about specific topics – such as scientific illiteracy, pseudoscience, tips & tools for promoting skepticism & critical thinking in the classroom, current events in the news, etc. Other posts could consist of my random thoughts of the day. I might post regularly, but since I’m a pretty busy guy there will likely be times when I’m away from the blog for a few days.
If you ever have questions, criticisms, or wish to leave me feedback, feel free to contact me or leave feedback on a particular post in the comments section. I will attempt to respond to all communication in a timely manner. Thanks for visiting!
The Skeptical Teacher 
knowledgetoday said
I love your site. Keep it up !
schempp said
Dear Matt
Just to say thanks to you. Not many find my annotated version, which I put on Dawkins’ forum after many were unable to distinguish the nonsense from real science.
In my initial posting, it was weird that apologeticists picked it up. For a link to a better version, I suggest:
http://www.thehumanist.org/humanist/elleryschempp.html
A point I always like to emphasize is this: Science depends on making measurements. If one has measured a spectral line, the dimensions of a fossil skull, or even temperature—one has an objective ‘thing’ that is not subjective nor faith-based.
This understanding of making measurements, which all could agree upon, was a radical shift in understanding that Fahrenheit and Celsius introduced. This is part of a longer sermon, which I can send you, if you are interested.
Thanks for your blog posting. I am at kiri2 at…comcast….net
Cheers,
Ellery Schempp
Joanaroo said
Thank goodness for your site! As someone who had teachers in school in the 60s and 70s and professors in college who genuinely loved science, I’m glad to see you! I’m annoyed and angered by the current backlash against science, evolution and the scientific beginning of the universe by fundamentalist Christians who want to change textbooks!
Skeptic’s Class Now in Session: The 135th Skeptic’s Circle! « The Skeptical Teacher said
[…] About This Blog […]
seculartopia said
*Thumbs Up*
Myra said
Matt, This is why you’re STILL one of my favorite High School friends!:) w00t!
ChumpChaser said
Most of your theories are a joke and not even original. No wonder our kids turn out to be idiots after going through government schools. Your momma geek!
Nicole McKenzie said
Matt, I wanted to ask you a question.Do you believe that humans can have psychic ability?Do you think it’s possible for a person to see something before it happens? Thank you,Nicole
mattusmaximus said
In answer to your questions: I don’t know. But it is such an extraordinary claim that I won’t believe it without some extraordinary evidence.
Nick Nelson said
Nicole,
One can’t honestly deal with extraordinary claims unless one first has a normal amount of curiosity so as to recognize extraordinary evidence when it’s right in front of the senses. Should such an event make it through a veil of already knowing everything one loses a need to believe; one knows. There is a built-in bias on both sides of questions like yours, so I suggest seeking experience as well as guidence.