New Year is a great time to take stock. What have we learned? What
mysteries have been solved? Where should we go from here? A Reality
Revival offers an opportunity to hold up to the world our current
understanding of reality as illuminated by the discoveries and explorations
of science. It is a chance to help educate ourselves about what we
know and why, what mysteries have been solved and what questions we
have answered. It also affords us a chance to question the unrealistic
ideas that circulate widely within our societies and play the "Back
to Life, Back to Reality" theme song (musician forthcoming)
at concert volume.
is our most precious tool, wrote Albert Einstein. It provides
us not just with one tool but an entire toolbox of skills and instruments
that can help us to navigate through reality. Skepticism and critical
inquiry are to be found within the tool kit of science and when we
employ them throughout our lives we stand a better chance at reaching
our goals and making our dreams come true. We have an advantage in
that these tools allow us to probe the very fabric of reality, thereby
steering our choices and behaviors in a way that fits well with such
a reality and is more likely to work and get the results we desire.
you're interested in planning a Reality Revival, here are some ideas
for activities to include:
like the Unsolved Mysteries prime-time television program, think about
how you might put on a similar production, via skits, show-and-tell,
school projects, or as a class newsletter. Generate interest and excitement
by first explaining the mystery to be solved and the odd and unusual
characteristics this mystery may hold or the difficulties that exist
in solving it. Explain the facts that have been observed and any details
of the phenomena. Conclude with how science was able to solve this
mystery and what details were gleaned from the scientific investigation.
When all is said and done, stamp the mystery SOLVED
with as much pomp and ceremony as you can muster.
addition to the discoveries and explorations that have been made in
the past, place special emphasis on the past year's achievements in
science. Students can tackle a particular field and choose an advancement
that has been made in this area. Displays, exhibits and lists can
be created and presented to others. Students can also pretend to be
a historical figure that discovered or invented something worthwhile
in the past. They can give a first hand account about their discovery
or invention to the rest of the class.
ideas? Let us know!