ENGAGE
Western Scientific Ways
Now that we've spent some time exploring Native ways of knowing, let's take a look at how everything is connected from a strictly western scientific point of view. To better understand this point of view, we'll explore some of the discoveries of Galileo and Einstein, as well as more contemporary scientists who have greatly expanded our view of our world and its place in space and time. Even though it might be fun to travel back through time to better understand how discoveries change cultures, for now we'll have to settle for considering historical contexts and use our imaginations a bit.
Since the earliest efforts by ancient western cultures to formalize a more objective understanding of our universe, science has struggled to come to grips with its own shortcomings as it evolved along with the societies in which it developed. Take for example the comparatively recent emergence of experimental science and how it led to Galileo's, controversial at the time, confirmation of Copernicus's notion that the Earth is not the center of the universe; Though it's a well-accepted notion now, it was a radical idea in the 1600's.
EXPLAIN
- How did Galileo's discovery of our Heliocentric (Sun-centered) planetary system challenge traditional knowledge at the time?
- How can traditional knowledge sometimes become an obstacle to better understanding?
EXTEND
- How do you think Galileo helped demonstrate that everything is connected?
ENGAGE
300 years after Galileo, Einstein also perceived that underneath the confusion of various invisible forces and subatomic particles being discovered and described in his time, there must be some kind of simpler unity; That all the disparate forces and particles are all somehow connected; that everything is connected. In particular, Einstein hoped to live to discover the connection between gravity and electromagnetism, as discussed in this TD video;
EXPLORE
Helpful Hint: For more great articles, interviews, slide shows, interactives and video resources about string theory, visit NOVA's Elegant Universe.
EXPLAIN
- How did Einstein's discoveries challenge traditional knowledge at the time?
- How did Einstein help demonstrate that everything is connected?
ENGAGE
To bring us back to Earth, pun intended, our discoveries and questions about the origin of the Universe, and of the matter and energy that remains since the beginning of time, have created a larger, more integrated understanding our our planet; That Earth is a large, complex, dynamic, interconnected system created by, and subject to, the laws of the universe set in place some 14 billion years ago.
EXPLORE
To help us visualize Earth as a System, watch the TD video by the same name.
EXPLAIN
- How have space missions and satellites helped integrate the sciences and shape the way we understand our planet?
- Describe some of the many different pathways for the flow of matter and energy you identify in Earth as a System? How are they all connected?
EXTEND
- How do you think our growing understanding of Earth as a System has changed our view of the world and our place in it?
EXPLORE SOME MORE
YouTube
YouTube resources are frequently used in this course to add interest and/or specific information to a topic. Consider this mash-up of modern physicists set to a nice ambient music soundtrack. Symphony of Science - 'We Are All Connected'.
YouTube resources are frequently used in this course to add interest and/or specific information to a topic. Consider this mash-up of modern physicists set to a nice ambient music soundtrack. Symphony of Science - 'We Are All Connected'.
Symphony of Science - 'We Are All Connected'
Helpful Hint: Many schools' filter YouTube from its Internet service because some of its content is objectionable and inappropriate for educational purposes. You may wish to download YouTube resources from your personal service and save it on your computer for later classroom use.
Otherwise, school IT personnel may be able to provide an approved Internet path that bypasses the school's content filter for teachers.
EXPLAIN
- How is Everything Connected literally and metaphorically?
- How has western science changed our view of the world and our place in it?
- What are some of the challenges cultures face when confronted with dramatic new discoveries?
EXTEND
- What are some examples of how cultures have adapted to new knowledge about our universe/world, or;
- What are some examples of how cultures continue to struggle with new knowledge about our universe/world.
EVALUATE
- Reflect on the value of western science in a world of diverse cultures, values and beliefs.
