Through the use of some purposeful anachronisms, Tom Stoppard uses his 1993 play "Arcadia" to explore the effects on man's psyche of the transition from Newton's Laws to the laws of thermodynamics and from thermodynamics to chaos theory. However, remarkably similar reactions to these changes are also reflected in works from the actual time periods…

As with many science fiction works, the "Star Trek" franchise uses allegory to address contemporary social issues. Taking a liberal humanistic stance, it addresses race and racism using aliens as allegorical stand-ins for humanity. However, the producers of the "Star Trek" franchise were inadvertently perpetuating the racism they were advocating…

A. E. van Vogt's theory of "unreality" explains in part how he has become so prolific in a literary genre--science fiction/science fantasy--which only recently has experienced a rise in popularity. His theory states that the science fictional sentence must have in it something that requires a contribution from the reader. If the author…

At a high school in Indiana, science fiction served as a catalyst for a reading motivation program with broad based curriculum applications. Appended is an annotated list of science fiction books popular with high school students. (Author/STS)

Use of science fiction in the teaching of social studies can stimulate interest on the part of the student and thereby aid learning. (CK)

An annotated list of the most useful critical and bibliographic works on the subject of science fiction. (MF)

States that many critics concerned with genre theory deny that the genres of horror and science fiction are flexible and adaptable. Discusses a group of recent American horror films that present a distinct variation of the horror film, including "Fatal Attraction,""Single White Female," and "After Hours." Concludes…

Examines the characterization of heroes in science fiction, focusing on young males. Nine books are reviewed to describe various types of heroes, from common ordinary characters to those with exceptional skills and intelligence, including nonhuman characters such as cyborgs. (LRW)

Molecular evolution provides an interesting context in which to use problem-based learning because it integrates a variety of topics in biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. This three-stage problem for advanced students deals with the structure, multiple functions, and properties of lactate dehydrogenase isozymes, and the related…

This paper discusses pedagogical advantages and challenges of using science-fiction movies and television shows in an introductory science class for elementary teachers. The authors describe two instructional episodes in which scenes from the movies "Red Planet" and "The Core" were used to engage students in critiquing science as presented in…

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. One of the most common classroom uses of science fiction is for students to pick out flaws in science fiction movies or television shows. Unfortunately, this approach can result in…

The visions of the future portrayed by Wells in two of his works, "A Modern Utopia" and "Men Like Gods," reveal much about Wells' gifts and limitations as a futurist. (Author/RM)

Offers a personal view of science fiction and its value to children. (HOD)

Analyzes the professional attitudes of successful science fiction authors. (MAI)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 81 science fiction, fantasy, and horror genre titles that were judged best-reads by reviewers in "Voice of Youth Advocates" from June 2001 through April 2002. (LRW)