Enlightenment Changed Thinking: Comparison Activity

The link between the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment is important for students to understand when they're studying this time period. It is clear evidence that a way or method of thinking can have an impact on a wide variety of social issues. In this case, embracing logic and reason in science inspired a whole new way to look at government.

In this activity, students will create a T-Chart that provides examples of how old ways of thinking about science were transformed by reason and logic. The storyboard must have:

• Two columns: One labeled “Old Thinking” the other labeled “New Thinking”
• Three examples of old Scientific approaches that changed during the Scientific Revolution
• A fourth example that shows how applied logic and reasoning transformed government

Extended Activity

Students could create additional examples of political changes that happened as a result of reason. Students should also address the following question: "Why was the application of reason and logic to scientific problems easier than applying the same concepts to political and social problems?”

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows how the old ways of science were changed by reason and logic.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. In one column, describe three examples of "Old Thinking" in science and one for how the government was viewed.
3. In the other column, describe three examples of "New Thinking" in science and one for how government was transformed.
4. Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
5. Save and exit when you're done.