At various points, children believe in lots of things, from Santa Claus to the tooth fairy. Fantasy is important, and distinguishing fact from fantasy is an important filter that children must develop. A sound education, critical thinking and an understanding of science and nature help people distinguish fact from fantasy, but what if fantasy is promoted as fact by people in authority? Teachers, ordained ministers and people who flaunt their credentials as men or women of science have a responsibility towards children and their position can be very influential. Then, promotion of fantasy as fact, is no longer a harmless activity. It is a form of intellectual abuse of children. In this talk James will look at various creationist books and comics widely used by fundamental evangelical Christians as ‘teaching aids’ for their position of a belief in Biblical literalism and a belief in creation over evolution.

We cannot prevent the publication of creationist books and comics aimed at children. But, as a community of scientists and science educators, we can prevent the ideas been taken on board as 'factual' and we can help prevent the misconceptions taking hold. We can only do this, however, if we are proactive in teaching evolution at an earlier stage in schooling and we can only prevent it with robust examples from the vast weight of scientific evidence for evolution that currently exists.

James Williams lectures in Science Education at the University of Sussex. He has extensive experience in teaching and teacher education, working in a variety of state schools as a head of department, head of year and assistant headteacher. In teacher education he has directed the PGCE secondary provision at Sussex University and is currently leading its science education provision. He has written a number of textbooks, education books, articles and academic papers. His latest book is How Science Works: teaching and learning in the science classroom (Continuum Books). He has written numerous education articles for the TES as well as The Guardian, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph. He has made expert contributions to local and national news for the BBC, ITN and Teachers’ TV.

Come along to discuss any of the topics covered since Portsmouth SitP reconvened last year, or indeed anything else skeptical!

Tannice firstly aims to take you through different definitions of autism, cultural representations and the results of her survey, asking over 700 people about their perceptions of what causes and ‘cures’ autism (spoiler: we don’t know and, currently, nothing).

The second part of the talk focuses on ‘the bad’ and ‘the ugly’. Tannice will briefly cover the MMR scandal, but this is not the main focus of her ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’ section: the subject that Tannice reserves the most ire for is the toxic and sometimes downright dangerous ‘treatments’ many children must endure. Asking the question ‘what’s the harm?’ has never been more important.

The third part of the talk is for ‘the good’, focusing on ABA or Applied Behavioural Analysis; the gold standard for aiding those on the spectrum. From Kim Peek (the inspiration for rain man) to Jenny McCarthy (an anti-vaccination campaigner), this talk will give you a broad overview of Autism, Autism interventions and why cultural representations of Autism are usually wrong. You’ll also find out why a horse died when he was being treated in a chamber normally reserved for divers suffering from the bends.

Find out more on her website: www.tannice.co.uk

Follow Tannnice on Twitter @Tannice_

 Details TBC.

 Details TBC.