Science Without Limits
ESL Lesson PlansScience Without Limits

Science Without Limits

A thought-provoking C1 lesson for adults that uses Frankenstein as a starting point for exploring the ethical limits of scientific progress. Students discuss AI, cloning, genetic engineering, and technological risk while developing advanced speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation skills.

Skills

  • to discuss ethical boundaries in science and technology and evaluate the consequences of scientific innovation
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Look at the inventions below and place them on a scale from Always Beneficial to Potentially Dangerous.

  1. Nuclear energy
  2. Artificial intelligence
  3. Human cloning
  4. Genetic engineering
  5. Autonomous weapons
  6. Social media algorithms
  7. Brain-computer interfaces
  8. Facial recognition technology

Discuss:

  1. Which invention worries you most?
  2. Which invention has the greatest potential to improve humanity?
  3. Should some technologies never be developed?
  4. Who should decide the limits of scientific research?
2

Match the words to their definitions.

3

Read the text and answer the following questions.

4

Read these opinions.

5

Discuss each situation.

6

Choose one question and write a 200-250 word opinion paragraph.