I, Robot - Chaper Five: Liar

"I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Lessons by E.S. LaRosa

http://www.middleschoolscience.com

Chapter Five - Liar

Characters:

Susan Calvin - Robot Psychologist at U.S..R.M.M. Inc.

Alfred Lanning - U.S.R.M.M. Plant Director

Peter Bogert - Mathematician at the Plant

Milton Ashe - Youngest Officer at U.S.R.M.M, Inc

RD-34 - Mind Reading Robot nicknamed "Herbie"

Part One - Vocabulary: (Required- 25 points)

Write a complete definition for each word. Be sure to provide the parts of speech and to use the word in a complete sentence. You may use http://www.dictionary.com .

propaganda
phenomenon
telepathic
systematically
cowered
convulsive
complacency

Part Two- (25 points)

What do you think a scientist looks like? Using descriptive quotes (with page numbers) from the chapter, choose one of the main characters: Susan, Alfred, Peter or Milton and do a full color character sketch.

Some things to keep in mind:

Write the name of your character
Write your name on the bottom right corner
Place the quotes in the margins of your drawing
How old is your character?
What color hair do they have?
Do they have any special features?
What are they wearing?
What area of science do they specialize in?

When you are done, using a scanner, scan your drawing and print it out using the color printer. We will make a display of all the drawings! We can also post them on our class web page!

Part Three- (Required - 30 points)

Discussion Questions- Answer in complete sentences

Why was Herbie able to read minds?
There are "75,234 operations" needed to make one robot brain, how many would be needed to make a human brain?
Why did Herbie like reading the romance novels?
Herbie knew the private thoughts of each scientist, what was the weakness of each scientist? Why was what they were told so important to them?
How they the scientists react when they found out that Herbie was lying?
Why did Herbie lie in the first place?
Describe the downfall of Herbie, what was his dilemma?

Part Four- (50 points)

Read this NASA Article about a talking and thinking robot!

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23jul_1.htm?list464409

Discussion Questions: Answer in complete sentences

http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/23jul01/activity1.html

"Astronauts get a Little Help -- from a Droid"

1. What is a PSA?

2. What can a PSA do?

3. Where did scientists get some of their ideas for the PSA?

4. What gases do humans exhale?

5. Why is it important to measure the gases on the Space Shuttle and Station?

6. What does the PSA look like?

7. What equipment does the PSA carry?

8. Does the PSA need a babysitter? Why?

9. What is the relationship between science fiction and science?

10. Does the PSA have a keyboard? Why?

11. Why would Mission Control want to look around the Space Station?

12. What are some things that the PSA can not do?

13. Would you like to have a PSA? Why?

14. What would you like your PSA to be able to do for you?

15. What would you name your PSA?

16. What would be a possible drawback of having your own PSA?

Part 5 - Make a model of your own Droid: (25 points)

http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/23jul01/teach2.html

Lesson Plan for Article:

http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/23jul01/teach1.html

Part 6 - Two Truths and a Lie - Group Activity

Procedure:

Each student must write three statements - two of which are true and one that is false.

Once everyone is done writing their statements (about 5 minutes), the class tries to guess which one is false.

Examples:

1. I like spinach and liver.

2. I played Anne the school play.

3. My favorite subject is science

Grading Scale:

130 points = A

105 points = B +

80 points = B

55 = C

Less than 55 = D

Created with help from S. Baker and T. Trimpe

Permission granted for educational use in the classroom.