I, Robot - Chaper Three: Reason

"I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Lessons by E.S. Belasic

http://www.middleschoolscience.com

Chapter Three - Reason

Characters:

Gregory Powell - Stationed at Solar Station # 5 to relay energy to Earth

Mike Donovan - Stationed at Solar Station # 5 to relay energy to Earth

Robot QT-1 -known as "Cutie" the first of the QT models that are capable of reasoning

"The Master" - The Energy Converter sends an energy beam to Earth

Franz Muller - Prussian Relief Man for Powell and Donovan

Part 1 - Vocabulary: (Required - 30 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 .

inscrutable
slide-rule
intuition
hypothesis
inquisitive
introspection
imperturbably
prophet

Part 2 - Group Discussion Questions

(Required - Choose 6 and answer in complete sentences - 30 points)

1. Why are Donovan and Powell at the Solar Station?

2. Why does Cutie refer to the energy converter as the "Master"?

3. pg 60 - "He doesn't believe we made him or that Earth exists or space or stars." How do Powell and Donovan try to prove these facts to Cutie? Does it work? How does Cutie account for the information they provide?

4. Famous Historical Quote - René Descartes - "I think, therefore I am."

(French philosopher and mathematician; born 1596; died 1650

Cutie: "I, myself, exist, because I think-"

Should Robots be "allowed" or programmed to think? What are some positive aspects? What are some negative aspects?

5. An electrical storm is brewing, why are Powell and Donovan so concerned about it? What is the possible consequence?

6. The other robots at the station stop taking orders from Powell and Donovan and call QT-1 the Prophet - what is going on!?

7. Donovan and Powell try to prove to Cutie that they made him by putting together a robot in front of Cutie. Did this work? Did they prove their point?

8. How do Donovan and Powell feel about Cutie as they leave the station?

Part 3 - pgs 72 -73 the "Frankenstein" Scene (40 points)

Make a full color art work that depicts the scene where Powell and Donovan build a robot as Cutie watches on.

Exploring Robots on the Internet

Part 4 - Use of Robots by Nasa: (50 points)

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/nlinks.html

Choose 3-5 of these present day robots and answer the following questions:

What is the purpose, use or mission of this robot?
Is it used on Earth or in Space?
Where is it located?
What year was it built?
Who or what is it named after?
Sketch what it looks like:

Part 5 - Robot Web Quest: (50 points) http://www.windarooss.qld.edu.au/Main_Pages/Robot_Webquest/welcome.htm

After you are done with the Web Quest, Choose One and write 2-3 paragraphs expressing your opinion.

1.    What will happen when robots are smarter and stronger than us?
2.    Might we one day become part human and part machine?
3.    Could we be creating a replacement for ourselves?
4.    Might robots one day run the whole world without us?

Just for fun!

Robonaut: http://vesuvius.jsc.nasa.gov/er_er/html/robonaut/robonaut.html

Explore this site and watch short movies of Robots in action!

Grading Scale:

200 - 180 points = A

179 - 130 points = B+

129 - 80 points = B

79 - 60 points = C

Less than 60 = D

Created with help from S. Baker and T. Trimpe

Permission granted for educational use in the classroom.