Science Fiction That Teaches
By David Brin, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2000. All rights reserved.
Many efforts have been made to link science fiction stories to educational curricula. Click here to see a full discussion of the potential. Other valuable work has been done by Canadian Julie Czerneda (see her book No Limits) and by the new Science Fiction Museum in Seattle.
I have another page devoted to the general theory about paying forward. See below for some other useful sites:
A contest (in hiatus) to develop science fiction as a curriculum aid.
The Postman Curriculum Site has long been an archetype for a teacher's self-made web resource designed to connect an SF book and a movie to classroom needs. Don Braden, a high school teacher, set it up years ago. For some time, however, the Postman curriculum site had shut down. It is now available again.
Of course, you're welcome to use the stories I've posted on this site. Teachers and others are welcome to create their own educational, nonprofit materials based on these works, or some of my novels. (I've excerpted beginning chapters from all my novels. Click the appropriate menu category -- on the left of this page -- under Science Fiction.) If you use one of my works, please let me know:
Tank Farm Dynamo: This story has been used widely to teach some principles of physics. It illustrates ideas of micro-gravity, orbital dynamics and the problems of life support in outer space.
Temptation: A sophisticated tale featuring dolphins who confront the dangers of romantic wish-fantasy.
Aficionado: Wealthy amateurs support the development of private space launch vehicles. Taking advantage of the latest adrenaline sport, one rocket-jockey plummets into the Carribean toward a meeting with dolphins that explores the meaning of intelligence.
Lungfish: A lengthy and thoughtful exploration of concepts behind the "Great Silence" or apparent absence of extraterrestrial intelligent life. It may turn out to be easy to send space probes that make copies of themselves at alien star systems. What if this has already been done? What kinds of ancient probes may already exist in our asteroid belt?
Those Eyes: A devastating deconstruction of so-called UFOs. If any of the tales are true, then the UFO gray critters do not deserve our respect, only contempt.
The Giving Plague: Explores concepts of biology ranging from disease and symbiosis to safety of the blood supply, to the very nature of altruism.
The Loom of Thessaly and Thor Meets Captain America dive into history and mythology, taking a fresh look at fate and destiny. The latter also discusses alternative histories to World War II.
Stones of Significance and Reality Check take on the subject of reality itself.
David Brin is a scientist and best-selling author whose future-oriented novels include Earth, The Postman, and Hugo Award winners Startide Rising and The Uplift War. (The Postman inspired a major film in 1998.) Brin is also known as a leading commentator on modern technological trends. His nonfiction book -- The Transparent Society -- won the Freedom of Speech Award of the American Library Association. Brin's newest novel Kiln People explores a fictional near future when people use cheap copies of themselves to be in two places at once. The Life Eaters -- a graphic novel -- explores a chilling alternative outcome of World War II.
also recommended
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Using Science Fiction To Help Turn Kids on to Reading... And the Future!
Leaving? Read my parting thoughts. Return to the Top of the Page
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