Carl Sagan showed that the greenhouse effect was responsible for temperatures on a. Mercury b. Mars c. Venus
Sagan advocated for a. nuclear advancement b. nuclear détente c. nuclear disarmament
Sagan began to fear the effects of global climate change in a. the 1960s b. the 1970s c. the 1980s
Discussion/essay questions
Do you think space exploration is important for the future of humanity? Why or why not?
Transcript
Carl Sagan was an American astronomer and science writer. He is widely known for his 1980 TV series Cosmos and book by the same name, which helped introduce astronomy concepts to everyday people. Sagan was very interested in the possibility of alien life. He studied the climates of other planets to find out if they were habitable. He was the first scientist to show that the high temperatures on Venus were because of a greenhouse effect. In the 1970s, Sagan led the project of putting together the Golden Records for NASA’s Voyager probes. Sagan and his team chose a series of images and sounds to represent life on Earth. Sagan was very concerned about the future of humanity. He advocated for nuclear disarmament, and his research on Venus’s climate caused him to fear the effects of global climate change early in the 1960s.
In 2014, a group of religious leaders made a doomsday prediction about a. lunar eclipses b. meteor showers c. solar flares
The doomsday belief called “Y2K” predicted that a. the Abrahamic God would make a final judgement of humanity b. vital technology would start to malfunction c. a deadly pandemic would spread across the world
The 2012 panic was caused by misinformation about a. a nearby supernova b. an ancient Mayan calendar c. an alien invasion
Discussion/essay questions
Have you heard of any other doomsday predictions? Have you ever believed any of them? Why or why not?
Why do you think it is so common for humans to predict the end of the world?
Transcript
Throughout history, many people have predicted the end of the world. These predictions are often religious, using clues from Abrahamic texts. In recent years, a group of religious leaders proposed that a pattern of lunar eclipses in 2014 warned of the apocalypse. However, some doomsday beliefs come from fears about science or technology instead. One of the most widespread panics was Y2K, a belief that the beginning of the millennium would cause vital technology to stop working. Like myths and conspiracy theories, doomsday predictions can spread easily over the internet. One example of this is the 2012 panic, where misinformation about an ancient Mayan calendar made some people believe that the end of the world would take place on December 21st, 2012. Other doomsday predictions have included phenomena from outer space, such as asteroids and supernovas.
Because a superfluid has zero viscosity, it can move through tiny cracks and holes that a regular liquid can’t. How might that be a problem for scientists experimenting with superfluid helium?
Transcript
A superfluid is a unique type of liquid that has zero viscosity. This means that it will never stop flowing. The only type of liquid that scientists can turn into a superfluid is liquid helium. Helium is the only substance that stays in liquid form even as its temperature approaches absolute zero. Most substances freeze at much higher temperatures. When liquid helium is at a very low temperature, all of its atoms have the same amount of energy. This causes the substance to behave like one single atom instead of many. The atoms in superfluid helium don’t collide with each other, or transfer energy to each other. Because of this, there is no friction between the helium atoms. If a scientist decided to stir a container of superfluid helium, the liquid would continue to spin around the container forever.
The article says that many people have ethical concerns about the consequences of human cloning. What do you think some of those concerns might be?
Do you think human cloning should be legal? Why or why not?
Transcript
Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism. Researchers have been experimenting with cloning since the 1900s, when they attempted to create genetic copies of animal embryos. As technology became more advanced, it became possible to make clones of fully-grown creatures. The first successful cloning of an adult organism was in 1996, when a British research group managed to produce a cloned sheep. The sheep’s name was Dolly, and she lived for six years. Scientists have since managed to clone many other types of animals. In fact, there are now companies that offer expensive pet cloning services. The idea of human cloning has come up in scientific discussions, but many people have ethical concerns about the consequences. Because of this, human cloning is illegal in several countries.
A stem cell is a type of cell that can divide into more specialised cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as , and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.
Comprehension questions
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Discussion/essay questions
Stem cell research is a bit of a controversial topic in some places. Why do you think there is so much debate about it?
Transcript
A stem cell is a basic type of cell that can divide into more specialized cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but adult stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and researchers have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as cancer, and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to behave like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.
How has the Renaissance affected art, science, culture, and politics today?
What do you think was the most important invention from the Renaissance period?
Transcript
The Renaissance was a period of cultural change in Europe. The term ‘renaissance’ is a French word, meaning ‘rebirth’. The Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th century, when a movement called humanism became very popular. Humanism emerged after 14th-century Europeans began to rediscover ancient Greek philosophy. The main ideas of humanism were that humans deserved to pursue wealth and happiness, and that science, literature, and the arts were essential to human life. This was a contrast to the Middle Ages, when religion was often considered the most important part of life. Humanism encouraged many people to study and create art. One of the most well-known artists of this period was Italian painter Leonardo Da Vinci, the creator of the Mona Lisa. Although the Renaissance ended around the 17th century, the ideas and discoveries from back then are still influential in many cultures today.
Stephen Hawking once had a party for time travellers. He didn’t send the invitations out until the day after the party, so that only people from the future could show up. It was an experiment that was meant to show that time travel to the past was unlikely to be possible. Do you think that time travel could ever be possible? Why or why not?
Transcript
Stephen Hawking was an English physicist. He was born in 1942 in Oxford, England. Growing up, Hawking was always very interested in math and science, and at age 17, he decided to pursue a physics degree. However, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, a serious condition that weakens nerves and muscles. His doctor didn’t expect him to live more than two years after his diagnosis, but Hawking was determined to get his degree. He achieved his goal, and he is now well-known for his research on black holes. Throughout his life, he also published several books about the universe. His most famous book, titled A Brief History of Time, was written to help ordinary people understand complex scientific concepts. Hawking lived much longer than expected, but his condition worsened as his life went on. Eventually, he had to use a wheelchair to move around, and a speech synthesizer to communicate. Hawking died at the age of 76, after living a full and accomplished life.
A 3D printer is a device that is used to objects from computer-generated models. 3D printers may seem like complex machines, but they are actually very to regular printers. A normal printer uses nozzles filled with ink to print words on paper. A standard 3D printer uses nozzles containing liquid polymer, a waxy substance that solidifies quickly. The machine receives instructions from a , and the nozzles follow these instructions. They print the by building up thin layers of polymer from the bottom to the top. Although the average person might use a 3D printer to make something fun like a toy or figurine, this technology also has a lot of practical uses – especially in the medical field. Scientists have used 3D printers to make prosthetics for injured and disabled patients. This is important because 3D printing can often be much than other types of manufacturing.
Comprehension questions
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Discussion/essay questions
As 3D printers become easier for people to access, they also become more dangerous. Many people have used 3D printers to make guns, knives, and other weapons. Should 3D printing be regulated to keep everyone safe? If so, what would be the best way to do this?
Transcript
A 3D printer is a device that is used to create objects from computer-generated models. 3D printers may seem like complex machines, but they are actually very similar to regular printers. A normal printer uses nozzles filled with ink to print words on paper. A standard 3D printer uses nozzles containing liquid polymer, a waxy substance that solidifies quickly. The machine receives instructions from a computer, and the nozzles follow these instructions. They print the object by building up thin layers of polymer from the bottom to the top. Although the average person might use a 3D printer to make something fun like a toy or figurine, this technology also has a lot of practical uses – especially in the medical field. Scientists have used 3D printers to make prosthetics for injured and disabled patients. This is important because 3D printing can often be much cheaper than other types of manufacturing.
In 1928, British physicist Paul Dirac the existence of antimatter. His theory was that every type of subatomic particle had an antiparticle. He believed that an antiparticle would be almost identical to a normal particle, only with an electrical charge. This theory was proven two years later, when American physicist Carl David Anderson discovered a positively-charged electron, later named the “positron”. Today, physicists know that our is made up of both matter and antimatter. They have even successfully created antimatter atoms. However, antimatter is still one of the greatest in the universe. Scientific theory states that the Big Bang should have created equal amounts of matter and antimatter. The problem with this idea is the fact that matter and antimatter instantly destroy each other when they come into contact. This means that if the Big Bang had as much antimatter as it did matter, the universe would not exist today.
Comprehension questions
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Discussion/essay questions
For years, scientists have debated the reason why our universe has more matter than antimatter. Some scientists have even suggested the idea that the Big Bang created another, parallel universe, made up mostly of antimatter. However, there isn’t a lot of evidence for this. Do you think scientists will ever know the answer to this question, or are there just some things about the universe we will never understand?
Transcript
In 1928, British physicist Paul Dirac predicted the existence of antimatter. His theory was that every type of subatomic particle had an antiparticle. He believed that an antiparticle would be almost identical to a normal particle, only with an opposite electrical charge. This theory was proven two years later, when American physicist Carl David Anderson discovered a positively-charged electron, later named the “positron”. Today, physicists know that our universe contains both matter and antimatter. They have even successfully created antimatter atoms. However, antimatter is still one of the greatest mysteries in the universe. Scientific theory states that the Big Bang should have created equal amounts of matter and antimatter. The problem with this idea is the fact that matter and antimatter instantly destroy each other when they come into contact. This means that if the Big Bang had created as much antimatter as it did matter, the universe would not exist today.
While Marie Curie’s research did help scientists develop cancer treatments, her research was also important for the invention of the atomic bomb during World War II. The atomic bomb is still a controversial subject because of the amount of deaths it caused. Do you think Curie’s discoveries had a positive impact on the world, or a negative one?
Transcript
Marie Curie was a Polish-born French physicist, known for her research of radioactive chemicals. She was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867, the youngest of five children in her family. Growing up, Curie was smart and curious, and dreamed of getting a university degree. However, the University of Warsaw only admitted male students at the time. In order to get her degree, Curie moved to Paris. She studied physics at Sorbonne University, and later received another degree in math. After her education, Curie went on to become a scientist. While working with a mineral known as pitchblende, Curie discovered a new chemical property, which we now know as radioactivity. She also discovered two new elements, which she called polonium and radium. Because of these scientific discoveries, Curie became the first person to ever win two Nobel Prizes. Curie died in 1934 from an illness caused by her exposure to radiation. However, her research has helped modern scientists develop treatments for cancer, and she is still seen as one of the greatest scientists of all time.
While most scientists today agree that the universe was created by a Big Bang, some have other theories. Do you believe that the Big Bang theory is the correct explanation? Why or why not?
Transcript
The Big Bang theory is a theory scientists use to explain the creation of the universe. The theory states that all of the matter in the universe began to expand from one single point. This idea was first proposed by astronomer Georges Lemaître in 1927. He received evidence to support his theory when another astronomer named Edwin Hubble observed that galaxies seemed to be moving away from each other. This was an indication that the universe was expanding. Because of this new information, Lemaître concluded that the universe must have once been smaller and denser. According to the theory, the universe began as something known as a singularity, which is an area where matter is infinitely dense. Over 13 billion years ago, this singularity began to expand, and the matter inside it formed atoms that would later form stars and planets. Lemaître’s idea received a lot of criticism, because most scientists at the time believed that the universe had existed forever. However, throughout the 20th century, scientists continued to find proof that Lemaître’s theory was accurate. Today, the Big Bang theory is the most widely accepted explanation for how the universe was created.
Some people wanted to use Einstein’s discoveries to develop weapons, such as the atomic bomb. What is your opinion on the use of new scientific discoveries to build stronger weapons?
Transcript
Albert Einstein was one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. He was born in Germany in 1879, and he began attending school in 1885. As Einstein got older, he became fascinated with the nature of light. He wrote his first scientific paper at the age of 16, and later went on to study physics at a university in Switzerland. In 1905, Einstein published four scientific papers. The papers introduced his theory of special relativity, which allowed scientists to better understand the connection between time and space. Einstein won the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his achievements. In the 1930s, however, Einstein became a target of the Nazi Party of Germany. He moved to the U.S. to protect himself, and continued to work as a physicist. Einstein died in 1955, but his brain is still kept in the Princeton University Medical Center. Scientists still study it today.
