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Lessons to Accompany Colonial Williamsburg's Electronic Field Trip:
In Pursuit of Science
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Each month through April 2006, the Newsweek Education Program presents online extension activities for use with Colonial Williamsburg's Electronic Field Trips.
Visit Colonial Williamsburg's Web site for more information about the Electronic Field Trips.
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From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Banneker and Bill Gates, scientists and inventors have influenced the development of our nation and the quality of our lives. Explore the achievements of both past and present scientists with these stories:
THE WORDSMITH
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According to "The Mind of an Inventor," when scientist and inventor Danny Hillis walks into his office, a wall "opens up to what geeks hope to see when they go to heaven: a vast room packed with brainiacs at work…" Look up the definitions of both words in a dictionary. What is your definition of "geeks" and "brainiacs?" Do you think the definitions have changed over time? How? What are the characteristics of these people? Together, brainstorm examples of famous, successful "geeks" and what they have added to our culture. |
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Hillis argues that all kids have a penchant for scientific experimentation. Read the paragraph that includes the word. Can you tell what the word means in the context of that paragraph? Check your definition in a dictionary or online. From your own experience, do you think Hillis is correct? |
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In "Charles Darwin: Evolution of a Scientist," the author says that some Christians "have managed to square the circle by mapping out separate realms for science and religion." As a metaphor, this means, "to attempt the impossible." Research the ancient mathematical problem that is the origin of the phrase. Does understanding its origin help you better understand its use as a metaphor? |
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Darwin's grandfather is referred to as an "esteemed polymath." Break the word, which comes from the ancient Greek, into two parts. On their own, what do "math" and "poly" mean? When used together as a word, what is the definition? Check your answer. How do you think this word describes all of the people profiled in these stories? |
CLASS ACTIVITIES
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During his famous journey along the South American coast aboard the HMS Beagle, naturalist Charles Darwin was an observer, a collector of artifacts and researcher. But his greatest contribution to science may have been his ability to record and reflect on his findings. Based on the information in "Evolution of a Scientist," discuss what function a scientific journal might serve on such a trip. How might that journal be useful following a research trip or investigation? Make and use a blank journal to record your thoughts and findings throughout this unit. At the end of the unit, read your journal entries and create a final page that reflects on your work and what you have learned. |
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The author of "The Mind of an Inventor" asks a good question: Are inventors born, or are they made? Scientists of all kinds share certain traits or characteristics. As you read all three of the featured stories, jot down adjectives that are used to describe these naturalists, scientists and inventors. Based on your perceptions of them, what adjectives would you add to the list? Survey the backgrounds, described in the stories, of Charles Darwin and Danny Hillis. What people or experiences helped foster their interests? What helped lead to their success? Now, take a quick vote: Are inventors and other scientists born, or are they made? How many of you had a different answer? Explain your answer and your reasoning. |
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The goal of a scientist is often to solve a problem, such as how to treat a disease or to increase the yield of a certain crop. The scientists in "Nature's Design Workshop" hope to solve contemporary design dilemmas by asking, "What would nature do?" Together, read and share some examples of their work. What natural processes are helping them explore solutions? How might those solutions benefit society? At the Web site Biomimicry, explore more of their projects by clicking on "Case Studies." In groups, identify an everyday problem from your own life that might be solved with more efficient design. What is the problem? What type of material or process might solve it? Research how that material or process is found or carried out in nature. Share your findings with the rest of the class and online with the Biomimicry Guild. |
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According to Biomimicry Guild cofounder Janine Benyus, "natural organisms have managed to do everything we want to do without guzzling fossil fuels, polluting the planet or mortgaging the future." What point does she make about the responsibility scientists have in her field? Together, share examples of other scientific fields in which moral obligations or questions are important considerations. In those cases, what is the role of the scientist? What dilemmas might occur? Discuss your opinions about whether scientists should weigh the greater social good against scientific advances. |
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"Evolution of a Scientist" chronicles the controversy that began when Charles Darwin published his thoughts on evolution and still rages today. On your own or in groups, investigate the history of the debate-beginning with Darwin's initial writings, through the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" and on to today's national conversation about "intelligent design." Share the results of your research in a timeline, an editorial cartoon or a journal entry. What does your research tell you about the nature of ideas and scientific theories? |
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Danny Hillis and his colleagues, profiled in "The Mind of an Inventor," owe much of their success to earlier inventors. As you read the story, discuss what scientific achievements made many of their projects possible. In what way do scientists use earlier theories and research to advance their own work? Using the Internet and other materials in your school's media center, work in groups to research inventors of the past. Each group may want to choose a category, such as inventions during colonial or other time periods, female inventors, minority inventors or inventors in certain fields such as engineering or computer technology. Profile your inventors in an inventors' museum, in the form of exhibits, one-act plays, artwork or Web pages. |
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