Teaching Science Fiction

A list compiled by Andrew Franknoi, of science fiction stories that can be used to illustrate topics such as black holes, dark matter, cosmology, quantum mechanics, quasars, particle physics, or neutron stars.

How can Science Fiction be used to teach scientific concepts? This collection of articles illustrates how Sci Fi books and short stories and movies can be used by teachers to inspire kids and convey concepts of physics and biology and chemistry. With links to relevant reading lists. 

Science Fiction author Julie Czerneda offers resources for educators: Why Use Science Fiction? plus anthologies of stories for use in the classroom. 

A unit developed by Lorna S. Dils to integrate future studies into the curriculum for seventh to ninth graders, using science fiction short stories: "Perhaps the most cogent arguments in favor of teaching science fiction are presented by Ben Bova in Viewpoint in which he states that much of what is taught in school is historically important, valuable, difficult and dull. Science fiction stands out “like a refreshing oasis of story and significance; a bad teacher must work hard to make it dull”. Good science fiction presents ideas and philosophies. It introduces themes of personal integrity, relationships—human and alien, other life forms and cultures, and our responsibility to technological change. It is interesting in and of itself, but it also presents ideas and alternatives. These arguments are all the same objectives for teaching future studies."

In this lesson, students learn about the genre of “lab lit,” then choose from a number of activities in which they explore an area of science through reading and writing lab lit themselves.

Science fiction predicts change, explores consequences, and studies potential futures. It teaches adaptability and open mindedness in the face of change. It performs "imaginary experiments" to see how people react to change before the change actually happens, and provides a different perspective on our world. Science fiction writers see the future as a consequence of our present day. In this light, it is also a vehicle for social analysis and an opportunity to experiment with new concepts and their effects on humanity and the world. Science fiction presents many issues from many different points of view for us to examine.

A lesson plan using stories by Harlan Ellison, William Gibson, Joanna Russ to inspire students to discuss and/or write about American social and popular culture in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

An inspirational video promoting the use of science fiction in education. For Science Fiction dares to ask that all-important question: What if? ...daring us to look boldly toward the future. The future that we will create.

"Science Fiction is the only form of literature that consistently considers the nature of changes that face us, the possible consequences, and the possible solutions."  -- Isaac Asimov

An article by author David Brin: "Consider the ages from twelve to fifteen, when a person's sense of wonder can bloom or wither, starved by ennui or seared by fashionable cynicism...Sometimes even the right book or film can ignite a fire that lasts a lifetime — you never know."

The goal? To create a positive, assertive, problem-solving civilization raise enthusiastic and bold generations. Not just this one, or the next generation, but many more culminating in the stars. Think ahead....

A directory of free science fiction stories with a bioscience twist that may prove useful in illustrating concepts in biology.

A resource for teachers to access some of the classics of science fiction, wtih works by Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Octavia Buter, David Brin, Philip K. Dick, and Philip Jose Farmer.

A syllabus of a course using science fiction books to teach biological concepts, by Professor Joan Slonczewski. Topics covered: What are mutants? How do sentient life forms evolve? How do we adapt? How does genetics shape us? 

Science fiction has always asked what comes after Homo sapiens. A superhuman version of our species, or a dying planet devoid of intelligent life? This list of 35 essential posthuman novels will get you started answering the big questions too. From Slan to Uglies, Marooned in Real Time to The Dying Earth.

Aimed at the elementary school classoom: suggestions for using science  fiction to inspire students to write. What will life be like in the year 2050? What new technologies, forms of transportation, communication, recreation, food, or medicine might exist? How can you illustrate these in fiction? 

The Authors discuss how to use science fiction to motivate students: "Its appear comes from its imagination and vision of the past, present and fuutre. Imagination comes into play as science fiction challenges readers to first imagine, and then to realize the future of not only the novel they are reading, but, in juxtaposition, the world in which they live." Reading lists and resources are given for use by teachers seeking to incorporate SF into the classroom.