Month
March 2015
Period
1 (1 hour)
Theme
Social Studies
Topic
Famous Scientists and Inventors in History
Learning Objectives
 Promoting civic competence.
 Develop ability to make informed and reasoned decisions.
 Master the process of learning.
Resource
National Geographic Extreme Explorer Magazine articleNever Fear Failure
INSTRUCTIONS
Have the students read the article ‘Never Fear Failure’ from the National Geographic Extreme
Explorer magazine. Divide the class into groups of four. Each group will be given a topic on
famous scientists and inventors in history. The topics also encompass the trial and tribulations
these scientists went through before obtaining the recognition for their findings. Students are
required to research the topics and create a presentation based on their findings. The use of
graphics and mind-maps are encouraged, to help present their discoveries in the next lesson.
RESEARCH TOPIC
Groups 1 and 2
Galileo Galelei
In the 1600s, Galileo Galilei discovered the principle of inertia. Research on how he came
about this discovery and his failures and perseverance towards identifying the principle. Show
videos and explain every step he took in his quest to prove his theory.
“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”Galileo Galilei
Link: http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220
Groups 3 and 4
Isaac Newton
In 1668, Isaac Newton builds the world’s first reflecting telescope. Isaac Newton built his
reflecting telescope as a proof for his theory that white light is composed of a
spectrum of colours. Explain his journey towards constructing the telescope and the
various versions he made before he finally made one that worked. Make your own telescope
and show the rest of the class the simple way of creating it.
“Errors are not in the art but in the artificers.”- Isaac Newton
Link: http://www.geek.com/science/video-takes-a-look-at-isaac-newtons-first-telescope1584317/
Groups 5 and 6
Marie Curie
Marie Curie was a Polish-born French physicist famous for her work on radioactivity and twice
a winner of the Nobel Prize. Talk about her experiments and tribulations leading to the
discovery of radioactive elements. Did you know that a word had been name after Marie Curie
and her husband? The curie is the basic unit of measurement for describing radioactivity.
“Nothing is life is to be feared, It is only to be understood.”-Marie Curie
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vTRrZU-LKQ
Groups 7 and 8
Thomas Edison
In 1878, Edison focused on inventing a safe, inexpensive electric light to replace the gaslight,
a challenge that scientists had been grappling with for the last 50 years. Discuss how many
times Thomas Edison tried before finally making the fist commercially viable light bulb. Then,
explain how he worked on many improvements to his signature invention throughout his
career.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10000 ways that won't work." - Thomas A. Edison
Link: http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/thomas-edison