A Science Fiction Wordlist

PDB (United States of America)
49 words 31 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. analysis
    abstract separation of something into its various parts
    Teacher preparation
    ◆ Prepare the Analysis Cards (Figure 1B), either as reusable stand-alones or handouts.
  2. analyze
    break down into components or essential features
    Students have analyzed literature for years in English classes but just never thought, in most cases, of applying those skills to reading science.
  3. anthology
    a collection of selected literary passages
    This is true because science fiction stories, particularly the short form readily available in “Year’s Best” anthologies in libraries (Hartwell 2005; Dozois 2005), speculate from known concepts.
  4. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    This can be an important lesson in assessing the credibility of materials taken from the internet.
  5. assessment
    the act of judging a person or situation or event
    Figure 2
    (p. 42) supplies a quick self-assessment tool, to be applied before and after the activity.
  6. author
    a person who writes professionally
    Most science fiction authors ask, “What if?” and speculate about what could happen if a certain aspect of science or technology existed—or did not exist.
  7. awareness
    state of elementary or undifferentiated consciousness
    [Note: Students should gain an awareness of source, in terms of influences on the author and what the author wishes to convey through the story.
  8. brochure
    a small booklet with information about a product or service
    ◆ Obtain science nonfiction such as articles from Discover, Popular Science, and Science News magazines, newspaper “science” columns, brochures from varying sources, print versions of media broadcasts, or documentaries (ideally both current and older than 20 years) for students to analyze.
  9. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
    This without a doubt annoys many scientists because the “fiction” label has the popular connotations of “willingly false or misleading.”
  10. consensus
    agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
    Teachers should provide the biographical information after students have reached a consensus about the author.
  11. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
    As well, they should have an awareness of context.
  12. creativity
    the ability to bring something into existence
    The opportunity for literacy skills
    Science fiction is read not only for enjoyment, but because it digs into scientific concepts with imagination, creativity, and a thorough appreciation of consequence.
  13. credible
    capable of being believed
    A wide variety is preferable to allow a comparison of credible and some less credible sources while honing critical reading skills.
  14. database
    an organized body of related information
    Excellent searchable database of science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers, with links to author sites and book reviews.
  15. equation
    a mathematical statement that two expressions are the same
    Another good example is The Cold Equation by Tom Godwin (2000) that looks at the unalterable and potentially tragic constraints of space travel.
  16. evaluate
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    When you evaluate the quality of scientific information, do you consider both its source and the methods used to obtain it?
  17. excerpt
    a passage selected from a larger work
    Excerpts from science textbooks can also be used effectively.
  18. extrapolation
    an inference about the future based on known facts
    Critical thinking blends with literacy in the interpretation and extrapolation of ideas.
  19. fantasy
    imagination unrestricted by reality
    ◆ Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (www.sfwa.org):
  20. fascinate
    attract; cause to be enamored
    Fascinating look at the vocabulary that has come from science fiction.
  21. fiction
    a literary work based on the imagination
    The Science Teacher
    38
    Science Fiction &
    Scientific Literacy
    Incorporating science fiction reading in the science classroom
    February 2006
    39
    The term science fiction has become synonymous, in the media at least, for any discovery in science too inc
  22. fictional
    related to or involving imaginative literary work
    We are living in a world that seems science fictional, and science fiction readers have the advantage of knowing the terrain.
  23. frustrate
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
    Share the wonder
    If there is anything frustrating about writing an article
    42 The Science Teacher
    like this, it is that I am barely scratching the surface of what science fiction reading and writing can do to help students become scientifically literate—to develop the flexibility of thought and reasoned imagination they will need to succeed in our society.
  24. global warming
    a rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere
    By bringing science into the realm of individual lives as well as entire cultures, these stories are thought experiments about anything we can imagine, from global warming to evolution.
  25. hone
    sharpen with a whetstone
    A wide variety is preferable to allow a comparison of credible and some less credible sources while honing critical reading skills.
  26. incorporate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
    The Science Teacher
    38
    Science Fiction &
    Scientific Literacy
    Incorporating science fiction reading in the science classroom
    February 2006
    39
    The term science fiction has become synonymous, in the media at least, for any discovery in science too incredible or unexpected for the nonscientist to imagine.
  27. internet
    a worldwide network of computer networks
    Julie E. Czerneda
    Science fiction internet resources.
  28. links
    a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
    Encourages reading, with extensive links to science fiction sites of interest to librarians and young readers.
  29. nonfiction
    prose writing that is not formed by the imagination
    ◆ Obtain science nonfiction such as articles from Discover, Popular Science, and Science News magazines, newspaper “science” columns, brochures from varying sources, print versions of media broadcasts, or documentaries (ideally both current and old
  30. ongoing
    currently happening
    Developing scientific literacy is an ongoing process.
  31. outer space
    any location outside the Earth's atmosphere
    This short story, like all of the stories in the book, focuses on science and the future of work in orbit or outer space.
  32. premise
    a statement that is held to be true
    What is the scientific premise of this story?
  33. prepare
    make ready or suitable or equip in advance
    In many cases individuals most comfortable with the flood of new technologies and scientific discoveries and most able to see past the novelty to the potential for good or ill, have been prepared by their choice of literature.
  34. provide
    give something useful or necessary to
    In this article I make a case for why science fiction should be a part of science curricula and I provide an all-purpose activity to help teachers use science fiction in the classroom.
  35. resource
    aid or support that may be drawn upon when needed
    Science fiction internet resources.
  36. science
    a branch of study or knowledge involving the observation, investigation, and discovery of general laws or truths that can be tested systematically
    The Science Teacher
    38
    Science Fiction &
    Scientific Literacy
    Incorporating science fiction reading in the science classroom
    February 2006
    39
    The term science fiction has become synonymous, in the media at least, for any discovery in science too inc
  37. science fiction
    genre involving the imagined impact of technology on society
    The Science Teacher
    38
    Science Fiction &
    Scientific Literacy
    Incorporating science fiction reading in the science classroom
    February 2006
    39
    The term science fiction has become synonymous, in the media at least, for any discovery in science too inc
  38. scientific knowledge
    knowledge accumulated by systematic study and organized by general principles
    Focus class discussion of student results per article on credibility of source and assumptions by the various authors about the scientific knowledge of readers.
  39. scientifically
    with respect to science; in a scientific way
    Share the wonder
    If there is anything frustrating about writing an article
    42 The Science Teacher
    like this, it is that I am barely scratching the surface of what science fiction reading and writing can do to help students become scientifically literate—to develop the flexibility of thought and reasoned imagination they will need to succeed in our society.
  40. short story
    a brief but fully developed prose narrative
    This short story, like all of the stories in the book, focuses on science and the future of work in orbit or outer space.
  41. skill
    an ability that has been acquired by training
    The opportunity for literacy skills
    Science fiction is read not only for enjoyment, but because it digs into scientific concepts with imagination, creativity, and a thorough appreciation of consequence.
  42. source
    the place where something begins
    Teachers can use science fiction author Eric Choi’s story and biography (at www.sciencenewsforkids.org/pages/scifizone/choi.asp) as source material for this activity.
  43. space travel
    a voyage outside the Earth's atmosphere
    Another good example is The Cold Equation by Tom Godwin (2000) that looks at the unalterable and potentially tragic constraints of space travel.
  44. speculate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Most science fiction authors ask, “What if?” and speculate about what could happen if a certain aspect of science or technology existed—or did not exist.
  45. stereotype
    a conventional or formulaic conception or image
    Students examine their own preconceptions, which can be useful to reveal stereotypes.
  46. story
    a record or narrative description of past events
    This short story, like all of the stories in the book, focuses on science and the future of work in orbit or outer space.
  47. unalterable
    not capable of being changed
    Another good example is The Cold Equation by Tom Godwin (2000) that looks at the unalterable and potentially tragic constraints of space travel.
  48. underlying
    in the nature of something though not readily apparent
    Students prepare by analyzing a work of science fiction and examining the underlying science idea in terms of the attitude and knowledge conveyed through the story about the author, following this with research on the author.
  49. vocabulary
    a language user's knowledge of words
    Fascinating look at the vocabulary that has come from science fiction.
Created on Tue Dec 28 18:28:08 EST 2010 (updated Tue Dec 28 18:32:48 EST 2010)

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