DISCUSSION PROMPTS: GATTACA, GENETIC MANIPULATION, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION, DEBATE, THE SCORPION PROJECT, CLONES, CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE THE NOVEL, TALKING TO THE TEXT, THEME, COLLABORATION, TEAMWORK
UP NEXT: Litspiration: The Scorpion Project + Film Study + Debate PREP!
The Scorpion Project Culminating Activity: Debate
This week, we began working towards our final activity for The Scorpion Project, a debate. The students will be debating the following assertion:
Be it resolved that technological advancement will enhance our society's future.
If you have read The House of the Scorpion, or watched our related film study movie Gattaca, you will see the possibilities for a robust debate on this topic. By the way, if you haven't explored either of these texts, check out the students' latest blog posts (posted by Monday morning) where they compare and contrast the protagonists of these stories in order to start exploring the big ideas related to our debate. (To explore student posts, click here for 8.1 and here for 8.2.)
Students will also have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of genetics and advancements in genetics during EXPO week when a scientist from the University of Calgary comes in for a guest speaking engagement. Additionally, students will be asked to do their own research on this topic when developing their arguments, but to also use the two texts to assist in deep exploration and consider multiple perspectives.
The debate itself will happen after the break on Wednesday, April 12.
The debate itself will happen after the break on Wednesday, April 12.
