Fortune tellers have their glass ball, futurists have their charts of trends, and science fiction writers have their imaginations. Which would you use to predict the future? See what this video has to say about predicting the future.

Use the Franklin Institute's exhibition "An Inquirer's Guide to the Universe" to have students research ideas for a science fiction story. After completing their research, writers will compose science fiction stories that incorporate...

How is it that science fiction writers have displayed the uncanny ability to predict the future? An informational video discusses the genre of science fiction and explains how it has developed. Discussions of specific texts, such...

As the culminating activity in a unit study of science fiction, young writers demonstrate their understanding of the genre by producing their own graphic novel. After deciding on the main elements of their story, individuals use a comic...

Explore the elements of science fiction. Students investigate the literary elements present in science fiction and write their own science fiction stories.

Students develop a setting, plot and characters for a science fiction story based on current news themes, and then individually write drafts of the story.

In this writing worksheet, students read a science fiction book and write a report. Students follow the 6 guidelines and answer the questions to complete this report.

Sixth graders explore the components of science fiction in a science and literacy instructional activity. As they define and record definitions of the term on the board, learners identify a text as science fiction using the terms they...

Students identify the elements of science fiction literature. They write and illustrate a science fiction story using real and exaggerated science. In addition, they read their stories aloud in small groups.

Students write a story. In this genre lesson, students read a science fiction story and discuss its characteristics. Students brainstorm a list of things that if scientifically changed would alter the way we live our lives. Students...

While just a simplistic exploration of the science fiction genre, this presentation provides a unique and creative way to approach this topic. Learners view a series of slides that identify the characteristics of science fiction. This...

Do your sixth graders like science fiction? Learn to identify elements of  the science fiction genre with a literature lesson. They read from Only You Can Save Mankind and identify the objects, words, and characters from the scenarios....

Use science fiction movies to teach pupils about antimatter and alternate universes. Individuals learn about the portrayal of antimatter and alternate universes in movies such as Star Trek and Angels & Demons. They consider three...

Are superheroes science fiction ... or just really fancy science? Go even further behind the scenes with the characters from Avengers through a video from the American Chemical Society's Reactions playlist. Curious chemists learn the...

Focus on the science in a science fiction unit with a lesson based on the technology in Star Wars. Small groups work together to design spacecraft, choose items for a galactic sale, work on a space station hotel room, and decide what...

Sixth graders analyze plot conflict with science fiction and TV programs. After discussing the conflict, they identify solutions for the programs selected. They examine Only You Can Save Mankind for conflict, and consider ways the...

What is the best space battle of all time, scientifically? The video analyzes fight sequences from popular science fiction movies. It answers questions about momentum, thrust, force, radiation, weapons, lasers, and more. 

Discuss the difference between legitimate debate on a political issue and arguments that are based on hate through a science-fiction scenario that shows how a controversial issue can be discussed in both ways. Then learn how purveyors of...

"It just takes a spark." The sparks that gave rise to Fahrenheit 451 are detailed in an audio biography of Ray Bradbury. After listening to Part I of the engaging narration, class groups read background essays and prepare presentations...

Are light sabers possible? Could the Death Star really vaporize a planet the size of Earth? Take a look at the science behind the fiction with a video from the American Chemical Society's Reactions series. Physicists sound off on the...

Students discuss works of science fiction that they read, highlight aspects that made each a part of science fiction genre, identify formal literary elements, and discuss ways each can be developed through science fiction.

Students read and discuss," The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crichton and complete a short writing exercise as a warm-up for a longer piece of science fiction writing. They choose a topic and create a science fiction short story such...