1. Exploring SciEncE Fiction At its best, science fiction has no peer in creating another universe of experience, in showing us what we look like in the mirror of technological society or through the eyes of a non-human. - Dick RileyScience fiction is the very literature of change. In fact, it is the only such literature we have. - Frederick PohlIt may be far in the future, but there's some kind of logical way to get from where we are to where the sciencefiction is. Elizabeth Moon Before you read:Study the book cover and back and read the first few pages. See if you can identify the major ideas in the book. Is the story about alien encounters? Current technology with future consequences? Life on a different planet? Life in the far future? As you read:Keep a list of questions you have about the characters, events, or problems in the story. Focus on those issues that reflect current scientific, societal, or cultural trends. What thought experiment was the author using as a premise for the story? After you read:Identify at least one issue for further exploration and thoroughly research it. Investigate different sides or facets of the issue, and examine the project ideas below. Choose one that best fits your learning style and the ideas presented in the book.

2. Visual-SpatialNaturalisticIntrapersonal InterpersonalLogical-Bodily- Verbal-MusicalMathematicalKinestheticLinguistic Create a Make a map Keep aChoose a Present aDress as aWrite an Design a board game of anjournal as if controversialreport about character editorial or cover, liner complete withimaginary trip you are one issue in the the scientific from the book opinion piecenotes and the dangersor hikeof thestory andor and act out a that takes a song lyrics for and conflictsthrough thecharacters in present both mathematical conflict or stand with a musical CD faced by the world or the book. sides, pro premise of problem thatregard to abased on characters insetting of the Describe your and con, tothe story. the character controversialcharacters the book.story. Include reactions tothe class as a Cite faces. Be issue in the and events in The game must see the events as lesson. Afterexamples and sure that the story. Bethe book. must besights withthey unfold orthedata fromdialoguesure to have The cover playable byinformativewrite a seriespresentation,currentexpresses the factualshould have people who explanations of letters to a take a vote or research incharacters support fortitles for at have not readas well as character conduct ascience andposition on your position. least 8 songs the book.travel expressingsurvey totechnology.the central Or write anand completewarnings ofyour opinions determine issues in the alternatelyrics for atdangers andof theirhow the story.ending to theleast 2 songs.potentialactions and majority of story basedthreats. offeringthe class on your own advice. thinks. thought experiment. 3. Rubric for Science Fiction Book Project 43 21 WOW! NICE! HUH? YIKES!Project showsProject showsProject lacksProject shows littleevidence of aevidence of aclarity in the understanding ofthoughtful, creative focused approach presentation of thethe central themesapproach in thein the presentationcentral themes and and problems inpresentation of theof the central problems in thethe story. Ideascentral themes and themes and story. Ideas presented are veryproblems in theproblems in thepresented areincomplete or Quality ofstory. Ideas story. Ideas are relevant, but aredisorganized.Ideaspresented areclearly presented, not fully developedprovocative andcontributing toor well organized,challenging, knowledge in a leaving questionscontributing tofocused specific in the audiencesknowledge in a area.mind.focused specificarea.Project showsProject showsProject showsProject shows noevidence thatevidence thatevidence thatevidence thatstudent gathered student gathered student gathered student gatheredinformation from a information from a information from information fromvariety of quality variety of limited or few reliable sources.electronic and print electronic and print sources.resources. resources. Some of the Research Project showsProject showsresearch is notevidence ofevidence ofrelevant or theresearch that is research that is project fails torelevant, balanced relevant and show how theand related to the related to the research is relatedcentral issues and central issues and to the centralthemes raised in themes raised in issues and themesthe story. the story. raised in the story.The project showsThe project showsThe project is The project is ofevidence ofevidence ofsomewhat poor quality andexceptionalorganization and disorganized shows evidence oforganization and craftsmanship. and/or lacks last minute work orcraftsmanship. Text is either typed craftsmanship. carelessness.Text is either typed or professionallyMechanical errorsMechanical errorsor professionallylettered with few or detract from the and/or illegibilitylettered with no minor mechanical meaning of the textdetract Productmechanical errors. errors. Graphics Graphics and significantly fromGraphics and and images are images are the presentation.images are clear,clear andpresent, but do notcompelling and effectivelyadd to theeffectivelycontribute to theunderstanding ofcontribute to theunderstanding of conceptsunderstanding of concepts presented.concepts presented.presented.