Albert Einstein was born on March 14th, 1879 in Ulm, Germany. He was a Nobel laureate, best known as the creator of the special and general theories of relativity and for his bold hypothesis concerning the particle nature of light. He is perhaps the most well-known scientist of the 20th century.
Einstein is a true science hero, not only because of his genius and physics theories, but also because of his philosophy and compassion for the universe and its creatures. Einstein's groundwork in physics made possible technology as we know it today, from the space shuttle to the Internet. While it may also be said that his work led to the development of nuclear warfare, he himself was a peaceful man.
He is truly the father of modern science.
YOUR TASK:
Over the course of two days, we will celebrate Albert Einstein's life through a series of webquests, in class projects and discussion.
PART I:
Open a google doc and answer the following questions based on the links given.
Click me to read!
1. Describe Einstein's experience with a compass at age four and his conclusions.
2. Why did Einstein hate the academic high school?
Now click me!
3. The year 1905 is called Einstein's Miracle Year. Briefly explain each of his five accomplishments during that year.
4. in 1910, he published a "minor" work. Describe what that paper was about.
5. In 1915, Einstein completes the General Theory of Relativity. Using your own words, outline what this theory is about!
6. In 1917, Einstein makes what he would call his worst blunder. What was he referring to when he said that.
7. As late as 1924 and 1925, Einstein predicted a new state of matter. Give the name of this state of matter and tell me whether or not his prediction was correct.
Now click me!
8. Einstein received a Nobel Price in Physics in 1921 for which accomplishments?
Read me!
9. The speed of light is constant, but only when it's traveling in a vacuum. Click on the interactive window and name the things that will slow down light as it passes through them.
Words of Wisdom by Albert Einstein:
10. Select one quote and discuss it in a short essay, not less than two paragraphs long!
11. In your opinion, how smart was he? Justify your answer!
PART II:
Early Birthday Party for Einstein- March 12th
CAKE CONTEST
Each table is to submit the following by March 12th, 2015:
1. Einstein Cake, to be judged. (JUDGES TBA)
2. Einstein look-a-like contest (JUDGES TBA)
3. Einstein's Dreams Project
EINSTEIN'S DREAMS by Alan Lightman
Einstein's theory of relativity made many common sense concepts of time and space relative. In the absence of an absolute frames of reference in space, up and down, right and left, fast and slow, bigger and smaller and even night and day could only be determined from a particular point on the Earth.
In this book, Alan Lightman has created a series of vignettes that describe some dreams that Einstein could have had while trying to understand the mysteries of relativity, space and time. Each vignette contains a world that behaves according to a particular model or perception of time and space, inhabited by people who have evolved behaviors and philosophies as a consequence of this paradigm.
Einstein's Dreams compel us to reconsider the meaning of time in our own lives.
How often have each one of us wished we could "capture time in a bottle," stall time, speed it up, escape it?
How do we each experience time, especially when we tell stories about ourselves?
What happens when two people with fundamentally different perceptions of time try to relate events, stories and meaning to one another?
ACTIVITY:
1. Read your assigned vignette of Einstein's Dreams.
2. Each group member is responsible for their own work- so while discussion is important, each of you will be handing in something by yourself. Answer the following:
Einstein is a true science hero, not only because of his genius and physics theories, but also because of his philosophy and compassion for the universe and its creatures. Einstein's groundwork in physics made possible technology as we know it today, from the space shuttle to the Internet. While it may also be said that his work led to the development of nuclear warfare, he himself was a peaceful man.
He is truly the father of modern science.
YOUR TASK:
Over the course of two days, we will celebrate Albert Einstein's life through a series of webquests, in class projects and discussion.
PART I:
Open a google doc and answer the following questions based on the links given.
Click me to read!
1. Describe Einstein's experience with a compass at age four and his conclusions.
2. Why did Einstein hate the academic high school?
Now click me!
3. The year 1905 is called Einstein's Miracle Year. Briefly explain each of his five accomplishments during that year.
4. in 1910, he published a "minor" work. Describe what that paper was about.
5. In 1915, Einstein completes the General Theory of Relativity. Using your own words, outline what this theory is about!
6. In 1917, Einstein makes what he would call his worst blunder. What was he referring to when he said that.
7. As late as 1924 and 1925, Einstein predicted a new state of matter. Give the name of this state of matter and tell me whether or not his prediction was correct.
Now click me!
8. Einstein received a Nobel Price in Physics in 1921 for which accomplishments?
Read me!
9. The speed of light is constant, but only when it's traveling in a vacuum. Click on the interactive window and name the things that will slow down light as it passes through them.
Words of Wisdom by Albert Einstein:
10. Select one quote and discuss it in a short essay, not less than two paragraphs long!
11. In your opinion, how smart was he? Justify your answer!
PART II:
Early Birthday Party for Einstein- March 12th
CAKE CONTEST
Each table is to submit the following by March 12th, 2015:
1. Einstein Cake, to be judged. (JUDGES TBA)
2. Einstein look-a-like contest (JUDGES TBA)
3. Einstein's Dreams Project
EINSTEIN'S DREAMS by Alan Lightman
Einstein's theory of relativity made many common sense concepts of time and space relative. In the absence of an absolute frames of reference in space, up and down, right and left, fast and slow, bigger and smaller and even night and day could only be determined from a particular point on the Earth.
In this book, Alan Lightman has created a series of vignettes that describe some dreams that Einstein could have had while trying to understand the mysteries of relativity, space and time. Each vignette contains a world that behaves according to a particular model or perception of time and space, inhabited by people who have evolved behaviors and philosophies as a consequence of this paradigm.
Einstein's Dreams compel us to reconsider the meaning of time in our own lives.
How often have each one of us wished we could "capture time in a bottle," stall time, speed it up, escape it?
How do we each experience time, especially when we tell stories about ourselves?
What happens when two people with fundamentally different perceptions of time try to relate events, stories and meaning to one another?
ACTIVITY:
1. Read your assigned vignette of Einstein's Dreams.
2. Each group member is responsible for their own work- so while discussion is important, each of you will be handing in something by yourself. Answer the following:
- Why do you think Lightman wrote his novel in the present tense? What effect does it have on the reader?
- Write a short paragraph that gives the plot summary of your vignette.
- Answer the questions given in your assigned vignette of Einstein's Dreams.
- Discuss the reading with your partners.
- Finally, write some joint conclusions about the questions given in your assigned vignette of Einstein's Dreams.