The Great Balloon Debate
Assignment:
It is the year 2015 and the world is about to end by nuclear war. There is a hot air
balloon that is floating in the sky above the earth’s destruction. The balloon is filled with
the following 10 important historical figures.
However, the balloon was only meant to hold 3 people. Who will be the 7 to be kicked
off? Choose a person you would like to save and research contributions to society,
religion and/or science.
In a short, 3 minute speech, convince and persuade the panel of judges why your person
should be saved. You must include the following information:
-what your person contributed
-why that contribution was important to society in the past
-why that contribution is important to our society today
-what this person’s contribution may hold for the future
-why this person should be saved in the balloon!
Chooses one of the following historical figures:
-Henry VIII
-Sir Isaac Newton
-John Calvin
-Galileo Galilei
-Nicolaus Copernicus
-William Harvey
-Francis Bacon
-Rene Descartes
-Martin Luther
-Robert Boyle
Exemplar: This speech could be put onto cue cards and presented to the panel of
judges. Students are encouraged to use body language and rhetorical questions for
impact.
“Galileo”
Have you ever looked up in the sky and wondered what was above the clouds? Have you
ever wanted to be an astronaut when you were a kid and explore space? Have you ever
looked through a telescope and seen the beauty of a constellation such as Orion’s Belt or
the Big Dipper?
Well, thanks to Galileo all of this is possible.
Often called “the Father of Modern Science”, Galileo Galilei was mathematician,
physicist and astronomer born in the 16th century in Italy. One of the most important
discoveries that Galileo made was the discovery of Venus in our solar system.
It was also Galileo who came up with the theory of the earth rotating around the sun, as
opposed to be the sun going around the earth, which was a common notion in the 16th
century.
Can you imagine if Galileo did not make this discovery? Our seasons, years and
calendars may not be what they are today. Who knows how time would measured.
Galileo also developed the thermometer in 1593. Although it was only a crude
development at the time, 500 years later we are still using this valuable tool. Think of the
many practical uses of the thermometer! For example, here in Ottawa I am very glad
that I am able to tell the temperature and dress appropriately!
Another development Galileo made was the invention of the telescope which was made
between the years 1603 and 1624. This telescope not only served as a key to the great
mystery of what is in our universe, but it also lead to developments of things like
microscopes. Thanks to this idea of using lenses to refract light and magnify things,
doctors and scientists can help find cures to diseases and sicknesses.
On top of all that, he also made many contributions to the subjects of Mathematics and
Physics. Although I personally don’t understand all these subjects, his theories are still
being used in those subjects today, and today’s modern scientists use them to develop
roller coasters, airplanes, cars etc.
Saving Galileo would ensure that all of the technologies and conveniences that science
has brought to our modern world, will continue once the world ends in 2012.
And I personally want to make sure that I can view the beautiful stars on a clear summer
night, in the new world after 2012
Task Rubric: The Great Balloon Debate
Expectations
Criteria
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Knowledge/
Understanding
The student demonstrates
an understanding of the
individual’s life and
contributions to society.
-demonstrates limited
understanding of the
individual’s life and
contributions to
society
-demonstrates some
understanding of the
individual’s life and
contributions to
society
-demonstrates
considerable
understanding of the
individual’s life and
contributions to
society
-demonstrates a
thorough
understanding of the
individual’s life and
contributions to society
The student accurately
evaluates the impacts
made on society by the
chosen individual.
-evaluates the impacts
made on society by
the chosen individual
with limited accuracy
-evaluates the impacts
made on society by
the chosen individual
some accuracy
-evaluates the impacts
made on society by
the chosen individual
with considerable
accuracy
-evaluates the impacts
made on society by the
chosen individual with
high degree of
accuracy
The student demonstrates
ability in presenting
speech through effective
oral communication (ie.
voice, tone, speed), body
language and vocabulary.
-demonstrates limited
ability in presenting
speech, through oral
communication, body
language and
vocabulary.
-demonstrates some
ability in presenting
speech, through oral
communication, body
language and
vocabulary
The speech conveys a
sense of persuasion to the
audience.
-conveys limited
sense of persuasion
-conveys some sense
of persuasion
-demonstrates
considerable ability in
presenting speech,
through oral
communication, body
language and
vocabulary
-conveys a
considerable sense of
persuasion
-demonstrates a high
degree of ability in
presenting speech,
through oral
communication, body
language and
vocabulary
-conveys a strong
sense of persuasion
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application