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Blast from the Past - Special Edition (January 2, 2004, Two)
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Program Summary
During 2003, many important science stories dominated the headlines. Some stories were related to war news, in Iraq and elsewhere, and discussed concerns about weapons of mass destruction, “dirty” bombs, and the need for smallpox and anthrax vaccines. A new illness spread worldwide, as SARS, the flu-like condition, killed dozens and threatened thousands in China, Vietnam, and Canada. There were some important anniversaries in 2003, including the 100th anniversary of powered flight, the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA, and 25th birthday of Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby. However, these headlines may not be important next year, as new discoveries and problems emerge. It’s always a good idea to put progress in perspective.
“Everything that can be invented has been invented,” stated Charles H. Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents in 1899. Wow, if we’d listened to him, you wouldn’t be reading this! Imagine life without airplanes, air conditioning, refrigerators, microwaves, cell phones, moon rocks, television! Computers! The Internet! We’d still be in the Dark Ages!
The 20th century saw astounding advancements in every field of science and technology. In 1900, the thought of humans flying was laughable; today we’ve landed spacecraft on Mars. Automobiles were considered a folly back then; today we may have two or three per family. Nanotechnology, genomics, aerospace engineering—these sciences didn’t exist 100 years ago. Nor did Teflon, organ transplants, antibiotics, the dishwasher, and thousands of other things that we take for granted and without which we can’t imagine our lives.
Not all 20th century developments have been 100 percent positive: We’ve split the atom to create a tremendous source of energy as well as a weapon that, in some opinions, could potentially wipe out modern civilization. Gene engineering has great potential for treating and curing many diseases, but what dangers does it hold if it’s used in the food we eat? All in all, however, few of us would want to go back to the “good old days.” Could you live without indoor plumbing and MTV?
Guests
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Related Links and Resources
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For Discussion:
- What do you think are the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century? What scientists or inventors have had the greatest impact?
- Some achievements have been both positive and negative (i.e. nuclear energy). Can you think of other developments that have been mixed blessings? Is there anything you think we’d be better off without?
- Many people wish we could return to “the simple life.” What do you imagine a simple life to be? What would you be willing to do without?
- How has science changed since you were born? How have those changes affected your life?
- Do you think we have become too dependent on technology to survive without it?
Activities
Past and present. Cornell University’s Science circa … chart provides a fascinating snapshot of the state of science 100 years apart.
Time after time. Timelines offer an organized look at scientific progress. Here are a few:
The timelines can be used for all kinds of research projects and oral presentations, such as biographies, histories, chronologies, and comparisons.
A trip through time. A Science Odyssey is a terrific Web site designed to accompany PBS’s broadcast. The best way to use it is through the Then+Now section, which focuses on significant advances in five scientific and medical fields, collating all the activities, games, and biographies of the other areas. Clicking on the show titles at the Educator's Guide will take you to episode descriptions with links to related activities.
Learn from the past, look to the future. Thomas Edison's Inventions in the 1900's and Today: From New to You examines the impact of technology on society by looking at the inventions of one man. Though written for grades 3–5, the lesson is relevant to all ages and poses thought-provoking questions. It also has links to very good Web sites.
The New York Times Learning Network offers two stimulating lesson plans: One Giant Leap, in which students study modern scientific achievements by writing a class book; and Technologically Speaking, in which they create a museum exhibit on the impact of technology. The accompanying article, Raised on Technology, They Shrug at Space, discusses the technological “generation gap” between today’s kids and adults. There’s plenty of material for a class debate on the positive and negative aspects of technology.
Future shock. People have said some funny things about the future and been dead wrong. Sometimes they’ve had mixed results, such as the predictions at Wayback: Technology in the 1900’s Snapshot, part of the PBS The American Experience’sWayback: U.S. History for Kids. Create a class or school time capsule using photographs of today’s technology (disc players, Apple computer, cell phone, space shuttle, etc.). Include student science fiction art and predictions of life in the next century.
Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.
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