10/26/2007

Upper School students in Modern European History study the Scientific Revolution in their first semester. One of the themes of the course is the relationship of religion to society. The trial of Galileo opens up an exciting opportunity to explore this theme. In 1633 Galileo was called before the Inquisition in Rome for heresy and disobedience regarding his conclusions related to a heliocentric universe. Students in Mrs. Sue Elliot's classes re-enact this trial but this time with a dream team of possible witnesses who travel through time and space to attend the trial. For the prosecution the witnesses are Ptolemy, the Pope, and a Biblical Scholar; for the defense the witnesses are Copernicus, Isaac Newton and of course Galileo himself. Some students play the roles of attorneys and some play the roles of witnesses. Once a verdict has been rendered the students follow up the activity with a discussion. It is always gratifying to explore the relationship of science and religion because it is a controversy that is still alive today.