Science and Technology- Then and Now

Students will use primary sources from the Library of Congress Web site to examine scientific and technological innovations. The learner will research the purpose of original inventions and make comparisons to modern appliances or devices. Each student will present information to class in a Word document format. Presentations will include information from analysis forms, responses to investigative questions, and images captured from the Library of Congress.

Weblink address (URL):

Home Page- source

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

The learner will:

Identify important inventors.
Discuss predecessors to modern devices.
Use primary sources to analyze specific inventions from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Essential and guiding questions:

How did the modern appliances and tools we use every day originate? Who is responsible for the earliest attempts at inventing these devices? How have these inventions made our lives better (or worse?)

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Applying

Extension suggestions:

Using information gathered in research, have students predict what major inventions can be expectedin the future. This can include refinements of present-day products or completely new inventions.
Class will combine information into a PowerPoint Presentation to be broadcast over Closed Circuit Television, showing the evolution of technology.

Helpful Hints

MATERIALS:

Internet Access
Index Cards – one for each assigned invention (see page 3 for list of inventions)
Image Analysis Form
Microsoft Word