“The Big Trip Up Yonder” Extension Activity

Task: In pairs/groups of 2-3 students…

  • Part 1
  • Pick one technological advancement (see below for ideas) and research general information about the piece of technology: who, what, where, when, why, how. Then, provide social and cultural implications of that advancement, and any other advancements that were made from the original.
  • Requirement: two scholarly outside sources (at no point can you use Wikipedia as a scholarly source).
  • Pictures/visuals are used to enhance the report.
  • Part 2
  • After you have provided the social and cultural implications of your advancement, imagine a scenario where that advancement was never made and how that would impact daily life. You and your group must present that scenario.
  • Create a video, poster, Google Slides, Prezi, or PowerPoint to present your scenario.
  • Part 3
  • You and your partner/team will then give aten minute presentation of all parts of the assignment. You must include media in your presentation.

Considerations

A short list (generated by Mr. Carroll…) -

  • Cell Phone
  • Bluetooth
  • Pacemakers
  • Steel (Building material)
  • Spaceships (Imagine a future in space/ starting life on different plants)
  • Batteries (lead acid- AGM- Graphene infused- being able to charge by touching skin)

Other Resources (the 2nd is pretty comprehensive):

Fallows, James. "The 50 Greatest Breakthroughs Since the Wheel." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 24 Aug. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

Woensel, Lieve, et al.Ten technologies which could change our lives : potential impacts and policy implications : in depth analysis. Brussels: European Commission, 2015. Print.

Exemplary (7) / Proficient (5) / Developing (3) / Needs Improvement (1)
Creative Thinking
Ideation/Brain Storming / The group frequently sees links between seemingly unrelated ideas. Able to produce results that are novel and well developed. / The group often produces novel and unique ideas and produces results with little or no support. / The group occasionally produces novel and unique ideas and produces results but only with guidance. / The group is unable to produce novel and/or unique ideas and results without significant guidance and encouragement.
Realization / The group actively seeks out and follows through on untested ideas or approaches to a problem. The risk of failure is a real possibility, but does not constrain the group. / The group is willing to consider and follow through on untested ideas or approaches to a problem. The risk of failure is a possibility, and puts some constraint on the group. / The group considers untested ideas or approaches to a problem only with strong encouragement. The risk of failure constrains the group. / The group will not consider untested ideas. Stays strictly within the constraints of the problem which ensures there is little risk of failure.
Problem Solving
Define Problem / The group identifies the key elements of the problem and clearly outlines the objectives in an effective manner with no assistance. / The group identifies the key elements of the problem and clearly outlines the objectives in an effective manner with little assistance. / The group identifies the key elements of the problem and clearly outlines the objectives in an effective manner with assistance. / The group is unable to identify the key elements of the problem and/or the objectives without a great deal of assistance
Process / The group develops strategies that are insightful and use logical reasoning to reach accurate results with no assistance. / The group develops strategies that are insightful and use logical reasoning to reach accurate results with little assistance. / The group develops strategies that are insightful and use logical reasoning to reach accurate results with assistance. / The group is unable to develop strategies that are insightful and logical without a great deal of assistance.
Teamwork
Communication / Everyone is fully engaged with effective exchange of ideas. / Everyone is engaged most of the time. The exchange of ideas is effective most of the time. / The group is engaged but can be distracted (by cellphones). Ideas are exchanged with encouragement. / The group is only engaged with encouragement or not all members are engaged. Ideas are not exchanged effectively.
Interpersonal Engagement / Members of the group share respect for each other. All members of the group feel free to ask questions and contribute. Conflicts are resolved with open dialogue and compromise. / There is a general atmosphere of respect for all group members. The majority of group members feel free to ask questions and contribute. Members are generally able to resolve conflicts through open discussion. / There is a general atmosphere of respect for group members, but some members of the group do not feel free to ask questions and contribute. Members are generally able to resolve conflicts through open discussion with outside assistance. / The group atmosphere is competitive and/or individualistic. Conflicts that arise are not dealt with or cannot be resolved and/or there are no effective group interactions.
Content / (8) / (6) / (4) / (2)
Research / Content is very informative and accurate. Report has several supporting details, and 2 scholarly sources are used. Information is detailed and interesting. / Content is informative and mostly accurate. Report has adequate details; outside sources are consulted. / Content is not always related to the topic. Many inaccuracies. Few supporting details or appropriate sources consulted. / Content is not relevant or accurate. No details.
Total: / /50