Science and Math

American Red Cross – The American Red Cross was one of the nation’s foremost humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881, by former Civil War nurse Clara Barton.

Babcock, Stephen and the Butterfat Tester - Professor Stephen Babcock from UW-Madison started a revolution in the dairy industry with his invention of the Butterfat Tester.

Banneker, Benjamin – The first free African American scientist, mathematician, astronomer, clockmaker, and publisher.

Central American Civilizations - Science, math, and astronomy were important to the civilizations of Central America.  Discuss how these cultures explored the stars and mathematics.  Possible cultures include the Mayans, Incans, and Aztecs.

Earth’s Atmosphere - Throughout history, scientists have explored the Earth’s atmosphere.  Possible topics could include what various scientists encountered in their studies of the atmosphere as well as how humans have explored the Earth’s atmosphere in the past.

Egypt and Greece - The ancient Egyptians were highly evolved in the study of geometry.  When the ancient Greeks encountered their culture, their knowledge of geometry was further enhanced.  Investigate this important encounter in world history. (World)

Eruption of Mt. St. Helens - Investigate how scientists explored and explained the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980.

Glaciers - The Wisconsin countryside’s encounter with ice has left Wisconsin with some beautiful, hilly regions (e.g. the Kettle Moraine area).  Examine what occurs when glaciers pass over land.

Spencer, Herbert – An English social theorist, philosopher, and evolutionist, Herbert Spencer enunciated such theories of “survival of the fittest,” belief in the preeminence of the individual over society, and science over religion that had a strong global impact and were especially influential in the United States.  (World)

Magellan Spacecraft and the Planet Venus - This spacecraft truly led exploration into a new part of the solar system. Using radio waves the recycled spacecraft was able to achieve new advances in the study of Venus.

Mathematical World - Various advances have been made in the way of mathematical exploration.  These advances include the development of quantum mathematics, chaos theory, and factual geometry.  Investigate these breakthroughs and their significance to the world.

NASA and Space Exploration - Space exploration is a wonderful broad topic.  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a leading force in scientific research and in stimulating the public.  The creation of NASA was a result of the space race with Russia and a reaction to Sputnik.

Mitchell, Maria – Maria Mitchell was an astronomer whose discovery of a new comet in 1847 established her reputation in scientific circles and marked the beginning of an illustrious public career.  She was the first women to be elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Nightingale, Florence – Because of the efforts of Florence Nightingale nursing was transformed into a modern and professional discipline. During the Crimean War she organized the Barracks Hospital and by discipline and sanitation standards she was drastically able to reduce mortality.

Open Heart Surgery - Various medical practices/surgeries may make interesting topics.  For example, the first heart transplant by Christian Barnard was a true example of their effort to probe in order to make a diagnosis.

San Francisco Earthquake (1906) – During the early morning hours of April 18, 1906, an earthquake shook northern California on a 200-mile stretch along the San Andreas Fault.  The tremor lasted for forty seconds, then stopped for ten, and resumed for another twenty-five seconds.  A series of smaller tremors struck periodically thereafter. 

Polio Vaccine - Polio is a contagious disease that usually produces no symptoms.  Polio is a viral illness that is a potentially deadly disease.  By 1964, the oral polio vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, had become the recommended vaccine.  Between 1988 and 1998, wild-type polio was eliminated from North America, South America and Europe.

Scientific Revolution - This revolution, which began in mathematics and astronomy, eventually affected all areas of natural science.  Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton contributed greatly to this revolution.  The scientific method was perhaps the most important achievement of the Scientific Revolution.  Attention should be given to the Scientific Revolution in America.

Scientific Revolution (II) - The Scientific Revolution forever changed the intellectual world of Europe  and America as old ideas clashed in an encounter with new ideas regarding our world.  This wide-ranging topic could include an investigation of Copernicus, Galileo, Descartes, Pascal, and Newton.  Discuss how their explorations of the astronomical and mathematical world influenced the Scientific Revolution.

Scopes Monkey Trial - Did we evolve from monkeys or did God spontaneously create us?  This Supreme Court case was about creation vs. evolution and which should be taught in school. At the time created an uproar because only creation had been taught in schools up to this point. 

Taylor, Frederick W. – Universally regarded as the father of “scientific management,” Frederick W. Taylor was equally praised by manufacturers and engineers and condemned by workers and humanitarians.  His views were so influential that “Taylorization” became a popular shorthand term for the panolopy of methods antedated the assembly line method of production, they proved easily adaptable to that mode of manufacturing.