Technological Innovation and Science Fiction

I teach high school English for college-prep 12th graders. However, the major focus of the 12th grade English class I teach is science fiction. My students have grown up in an era of blockbuster science fiction films, like “Independence Day,” “I, Robot,” and “I Am Legend,” but are not interested in science because they have difficulty seeing the relationship between science fiction stories from film and literature and the scientific principles these stories are founded upon. Sadly, many of my students believe they are not meant to go to college, despite many having sufficient ability. As an English teacher, I use science fiction literature and films as part of my English class because I believe that science fiction has the power to interest students in reading and to develop scientific inquiry. While I work diligently to improve my students’ critical thinking skills by teaching them to be active readers, as well as to convince them that they are meant to go to college, I lack resources that can bridge the literature of science fiction and actual science. With a severe decrease in current educational funding, there are currently insufficient financial resources to purchase a book that can accomplish the goal of effectively linking scientific principles and science fiction. This book is "Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos" by Michio Kaku. If enough copies of "Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos" by Michio Kaku are purchased for my classes, an increased interest in science can be fostered that will most definitely open students to future opportunities for careers in science and related fields. Students with increased interest in science are more likely to be interested in attending college. And, when they get to college, they are more likely to be successful because they will have increased levels of literacy and the ability to see connections between complex ideas, specifically literature and science. Connecting science fiction and science can create a portal of access and motivation for many marginalized students leading them to higher education in colleges and universities. I know times are tough for everyone right now, but this can make a huge difference in students' lives by linking science fiction and science. You can increase the number of students who pursue college degrees in science related fields because this book, "Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos" by Michio Kaku can open students’ future dreams and aspirations to the wonders of science.