Misguided: The Podcast Thinking Is Power: Helping People Navigate Truth, Science, and Bias
Jul 15, 2025
Join Melanie Trecek-King, a biology professor turned science communicator, as she shares insights on critical thinking education and battling misinformation. She reveals how her frustration with traditional science teaching led her to focus on developing skills for assessing information rather than rote facts. The conversation touches on the psychological roots of biases, the challenges of engaging with misinformation on social media, and the essential role of personal connections in fostering trust in science—all served with a dose of humor!
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From Vet School To Teaching Non‑Majors
- Melanie trained for veterinary school, switched to prairie ecology, then became a college instructor teaching non-majors science courses.
- She realized teaching skills mattered more than facts and shifted her focus to critical thinking education.
Course Replaced With Skills‑First Curriculum
- Melanie removed the traditional non‑major biology class and replaced it with a skills-based course focused on critical thinking and information literacy.
- She then expanded that teaching beyond campus by creating a website and social media presence to reach a broader audience.
Think About Why You Believe Things
- Critical thinking should include metacognition and epistemology, not just evidence-based problem solving.
- Understanding why you believe something helps you notice biases and avoid seeking only confirming information.