I) What:
For our next task, you will work in groups of 3 students (2 if some cases).
You will have to present to the class a scientific discovery/ an invention that had a strong impact on the world/ on people’s lives.
You have to try and use the passive voice as much as possible (for instance when you explain when/ where/ why something was discovered or invented…).
II) When:
The aim is to prepare a slideshow that you will present to the class. You have to talk between 6 and 8 minutes. Your presentations will start on the 12th March, during our TD class.
The audience might ask you some questions…
Be prepared to answer.
III) How:
Pay attention to your delivery...You are going to talk about scientific subjects, make sure you know how to pronounce unusual/ specific vocabulary, dates , numbers etc.
Use as few notes as possible...Rely on your slideshow!
To help you structure your presentation, here are some points that should be addressed
| Presentation Structure | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Introduction: | Introduce the subject: |
| → Grab the audience's attention by clearly stating the scientific discovery or invention which will be presented. | |
| →Draw the audience’s attention to why this subject is important/ relevant | |
| 2. Background and Context: | → Provide context about the time period and circumstances leading up to the discovery |
| →Why were people working on this domain/ what did they expect... | |
| 3. Key Players: | → Who were the key scientists, researchers, or inventors involved in the discovery. |
| →Explain their roles, their contributions etc. | |
| 4. Discovery Process: | →Describe the step-by-step process of the scientific discovery or invention. → Use the passive voice to highlight the actions taken, experiments conducted, and challenges overcome. |
| 5. Innovations and Breakthroughs: | →Insist on the the breakthrough moments that led to the success of the invention. |
| 6. Impact on Society: | →Explain how society was impacted by the scientific discovery or invention |
| → Try to see the immediate and long-term effects on fields such as medicine, technology, economy, or daily life. | |
| 7. Challenges and Controversies: | →If relevant, detail the challenges, controversies, or debates surrounding the discovery |
| 8. Current and Future Applications: | → What are the current applications of the discovery or invention |
| →Can you think of any potential future developments and advancements. | |
| 9. Visual Aids: | → Incorporate visual aids such as diagrams, charts, or images to enhance the presentation. |
| → Use visuals to illustrate key points in the discovery process and its impact. | |
| 10. Conclusion: | →Summarize the most important points of your subject, insist on the significance of this scientific discovery/ invention |
| →End with relevant question that will enable the audience to think on the importance of the discovery. | |
| →Be prepared to answer potential questions |
IV) Potential subjects:
As usual, I encourage you to work on a subject in which you are interested.
But if you lack inspiration, here are some potential topics:
→Penicillin
→DNA Structure
→Vaccination
→The theory of Relativity