Learning Critical Thinking Skills
TRUTH CARRIERS - YOUTH EDITION
Ages 12-17
This workbook is NOT about telling you what to believe. It's about learning how to think critically and ask good questions. We'll look at documented facts - things that are officially recorded - and learn to distinguish between facts, questions, and speculation.
8 lessons - about 25-35 minutes each
Use the 6Rs Learning Method to really learn this material:
To understand something, it helps to know its history. Let's look at some documented facts about how NASA began.
After World War II ended in 1945, the United States recruited German scientists through a program called Operation .
| Documented Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of scientists | About German scientists |
| Time period | 1945-1959 |
| Purpose | Use German expertise for Cold War advantage |
| Source | Declassified U.S. government documents |
The most famous scientist recruited was Wernher von Braun:
NASA began: October 1,
1. Operation Paperclip recruited approximately:
○ A) 100 scientists ○ B) 1,600 scientists ○ C) 5,000 scientists
2. NASA began operations in:
○ A) 1945 ○ B) 1958 ○ C) 1969
What was Operation Paperclip? Who was Wernher von Braun? When did NASA start?
Space has radiation. Around Earth, there are zones of intense radiation called the Van Allen belts. Let's learn what they are!
The Van Allen belts are zones of trapped radiation held by Earth's field.
| Belt | Altitude (km above Earth) | What's There |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Belt | ~640-6,000 km | High-energy protons |
| Outer Belt | ~13,000-58,000 km | Electrons |
Discovered: 1958 by James Van using the Explorer 1 satellite.
According to NASA, Apollo astronauts passed through the Van Allen belts on their way to the Moon. NASA says:
If Apollo successfully got through the belts with basic protection in the 1960s, why does NASA say they need "better protection" today?
○ True ○ False - 1. The ISS orbits inside the Van Allen belts.
○ True ○ False - 2. The Van Allen belts were discovered in 1958.
○ True ○ False - 3. Radiation in space is a real challenge for astronauts.
What are the Van Allen belts? Where are they located? What question is raised about Apollo?
One interesting area to explore is how different technology was in the 1960s compared to today.
| Feature | Apollo Computer (1969) | Modern Smartphone |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed | 2 MHz | ~2,000+ MHz |
| RAM | 4 KB | ~8,000,000 KB (8 GB) |
| Storage | 72 KB | ~128,000,000 KB |
Scientists today CAN bounce lasers off mirrors (retroreflectors) on the Moon's surface. This proves was placed on the Moon.
However: Both manned Apollo missions AND unmanned Soviet robots placed retroreflectors. So they prove hardware got there - but not necessarily HOW.
1. The Apollo guidance computer had how much RAM?
○ A) 4 KB ○ B) 4 MB ○ C) 4 GB
2. What happened to the original Apollo 11 tapes?
○ A) Stored safely ○ B) Erased and reused ○ C) Given to museums
3. Retroreflectors on the Moon prove that:
○ A) Humans definitely walked there ○ B) Hardware reached the Moon ○ C) Nothing
How did Apollo's computer compare to your phone? What happened to the original tapes? What do retroreflectors prove?
Explain to a parent or friend how 1960s computers compared to today's phones.
Person taught: Date:
Before the Moon missions, the U.S. conducted nuclear tests in space. Let's look at the facts.
Operation Fishbowl was a series of high-altitude tests in 1962.
| Test Name | Size | Altitude | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfish Prime | 1.4 megatons | 400 km | EMP, artificial radiation belt |
| Bluegill | 0.4 megatons | 50 km | Aurora, radiation |
Interesting Name: Why do you think this space nuclear test was named "Fishbowl"?
1. Operation Fishbowl happened in:
○ A) 1958 ○ B) 1962 ○ C) 1969
2. Starfish Prime caused:
○ A) Nothing ○ B) Power blackouts in Hawaii ○ C) A hurricane
What was Operation Fishbowl? What did Starfish Prime do? What's the timeline before Apollo?
Antarctica is unique - it's the only place on Earth with an international treaty restricting access. Let's learn the facts.
Technically yes, but with strict and permits. In practice, independent exploration is heavily regulated. No one can just sail there and explore freely.
U.S. Navy officer who led five major Antarctic expeditions (1928-1957).
Operation High Jump (1946-47): Took 4,700 personnel - official purpose was training and mapping.
○ True ○ False - 1. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959.
○ True ○ False - 2. Anyone can freely explore Antarctica without permits.
○ True ○ False - 3. Operation High Jump had over 4,000 personnel.
When was the Antarctic Treaty signed? What does it prohibit? What was Operation High Jump?
As believers, we should always compare what we hear with what Scripture says. Let's look at what the Bible teaches about the sky and heavens.
The Hebrew word for "firmament" is raqia (). It comes from a root meaning "to beat out" or "spread out" - like hammering metal into a sheet.
Job describes the sky as and like a molten (melted and hardened) mirror.
1. The Hebrew word "raqia" literally means:
○ A) Empty space ○ B) Something beaten/spread out ○ C) Clouds
2. Job 37:18 describes the sky as:
○ A) Soft and airy ○ B) Strong, like a molten mirror ○ C) Invisible
"Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?"
What does "raqia" mean? How does Job describe the sky? What does Isaiah say about the heavens?
Discuss with someone what Scripture says about the heavens and firmament.
Person discussed with: Date:
One of the most important skills you can learn is HOW to think - not just WHAT to think. Let's learn some principles!
What are the 5 principles for evaluating claims? What can we verify from this workbook?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
You've learned a lot of documented facts. Now it's time to think through what YOU believe - and why.
| Topic | Key Documented Fact |
|---|---|
| NASA Origins | Operation Paperclip recruited 1,600 German scientists |
| Van Allen Belts | Radiation zones at 640+ km altitude |
| Apollo Technology | Original telemetry tapes were erased |
| Operation Fishbowl | Nuclear tests in space, 1962 |
| Antarctic Treaty | Restricts access, 54 nations involved |
| Scripture | Describes a "firmament" (raqia) as strong/solid |
Based on what you learned, what do you believe about...
The space program?
How to evaluate claims in general?
What Scripture teaches about the heavens?
List the 6 key documented facts from this workbook. What is the Christian approach to uncertain topics?
Share with someone how to think critically about claims you hear.
Person taught: Date:
Review this workbook at these intervals for lasting retention:
| Review | Date | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Today) | ||
| Day 3 | ||
| Day 7 | ||
| Day 21 | ||
| Day 60 |
Lesson 1: Paperclip, 1,600, Saturn, 1958; MC: 1-B, 2-B
Lesson 2: magnetic, Allen, 1-2; T/F: 1-False, 2-True, 3-True
Lesson 3: hardware; MC: 1-A, 2-B, 3-B
Lesson 4: nuclear, Hawaii, 1958; MC: 1-B, 2-B
Lesson 5: 1959, permits/regulations; T/F: 1-True, 2-False, 3-True
Lesson 6: raqia, strong; MC: 1-B, 2-B
Learning to Think Critically
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21