The link between the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment is important for students to understand when they're studying this time period. It is clear evidence that a way or method of thinking can have an impact on a wide variety of social issues. In this case, embracing logic and reason in science inspired a whole new way to look at government.
In this activity, students will create a T-Chart that provides examples of how old ways of thinking about science were transformed by reason and logic. The storyboard must have:
Extended Activity
Students could create additional examples of political changes that happened as a result of reason. Students should also address the following question: "Why was the application of reason and logic to scientific problems easier than applying the same concepts to political and social problems?”
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how the old ways of science were changed by reason and logic.
Encourage students to connect Enlightenment ideas with everyday situations by prompting open-ended questions during lessons. This approach helps students see the relevance of logic and reason beyond historical facts, fostering critical thinking skills in real time.
Use 'what if' scenarios from the Enlightenment era to prompt students to question assumptions and evaluate evidence. This hands-on strategy demonstrates how questioning leads to new perspectives and discoveries, mirroring the shift from old to new thinking.
Assign groups to debate topics like the role of reason in government or science. This method engages all learners, encourages respectful discourse, and deepens understanding of how Enlightenment principles apply to modern issues.
Ask students to identify and discuss examples in today’s news where logic and reason influence decisions. Making real-world connections helps students internalize Enlightenment thinking and recognize its ongoing impact.
The Scientific Revolution introduced methods of logical reasoning and observation, which inspired the Enlightenment thinkers to apply similar principles to government and society, leading to major political and social reforms.
Use a T-Chart activity where students list examples of Old Thinking versus New Thinking in science and government. This visual comparison helps clarify the shift from traditional beliefs to reason-based approaches.
Examples include moving from the geocentric model to the heliocentric model of the solar system, replacing superstition with the scientific method, and shifting from reliance on ancient texts to evidence-based discovery.
Applying reason to science relied on observable facts and experiments, while political and social change faced resistance from tradition, power structures, and deeply held beliefs, making reforms slower and more challenging.
Have students create a T-Chart storyboard comparing old and new ideas in science and government, illustrating each example. This hands-on activity reinforces the impact of logical reasoning during the Enlightenment.