EXTRAPOLATION

"REVENANTS"

Introduction

Do you ever wonder where science fiction writers get their ideas? Do they simply have great imaginations? Imagination certainly plays a part, but many times writers get their ideas from current uses of science and technology. They take what is possible or almost possible now and speculate what may happen in the future. In this lesson, you will read a short story "Revenants" in which the author Judith Tarr includes such speculations.

Procedure

* Take notes as your teacher explains the term extrapolation and participate in the discussion.

* Read the story "Revenants."

* Jot down examples of extrapolation as you see them in the story.

* In small groups, discuss the examples of extrapolation you found from the story. Follow the directions your teacher gives you for completing a chart of the positive and negative outcomes.

* In your group brainstorm the possible great uses of biotechnology. With your group choose the best one.

* If your job were to sell this great use of biotechnology to the general public, how would you go about marketing it? Create a booklet that would convince the public that this is a safe and practical use of science. In your group's booklet, you must answer these questions:

Who is this for?

What does it do?

Why can't we live without it?

What makes it safe?

How will it help society?

* Groups present their booklets to the class.