Plight or Progress? Debating the Future of Technology (late start period)
1. Warm Up: In your opinion, are technological advances more positive or negative? Explain
2. Reading: Technology’s Future – A Look At the Dark Side
3. Either put students into small groups to read the article OR let them work individually but give them a finishing
time to come back together to discuss. Students should fill out the following chart:
PROS
CONS
Nuclear Energy
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Some helpful questions to consider include:
-What research or statistics support this position? List at least two examples.
-What are the major obstacles facing this position? Why?
-What do you project will be the ultimate outcome if proponents or critics (depending on your position) of this technology
are successful?
4. Video Clips:
a. 2020 Future Trends, Tech, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIbpDYS5MzU What are you most
excited about for the future?
b. Downsides? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAs7vbgBOas Are these valid concerns?
5. Further Questions for Discussion:
-What is meant by the expression "to play God"? Do you think this is possible? Why or why not?
-Do you agree with scientist Rebecca Goldburg, that "Once people are empowered to make choices, they will
often take what appears to be riskier options"? Why or why not?
-Do you think some of the risks involved with nuclear power, including the accumulation of nuclear waste, are
worth taking to prevent climate changes? Why or why not?
Answers:
GROUP 1-Nuclear Energy Proponents
Position: "Nuclear power should be considered a sustainable energy source for the future."
GROUP 2-Nuclear Energy Critics
Position: "Nuclear power poses too many risks to be considered a source of renewable energy for the future."
GROUP 3-Biotechnology Proponents
Position: "Biotechnology, including genetic engineering and patent engineered organisms, is necessary for the growing
global population."
GROUP 4-Biotechnology Critics
Position: "Since biotechnology companies focus on financial and political incentives, they fail to effectively help the global
population and ultimately waste energy and resources."
GROUP 5-Nanotechnology Proponents
Position: "By researching and operating on a nanoscale, nanotechnology offers the greatest possibilities for technological
advance in the future."
GROUP 6-Nanotechnology Critics
Position: "The effects of nanotechnology on the human population have not been researched enough to consider this
form of science a 'sure bet' for the future."
Have groups spend two to three minutes re-reading their sections of today's article for key information supporting their
positions. Then, using all available classroom resources, they conduct further research to formulate their arguments.