The premise of this section is that aside from catastrophes, the most important changes in the 21^st Century will come from reorganizing and reclassifying information and knowledge. To be prepared for this, students must be aware of the wide variety of techniques and tools available across many disciplines and technologies.

1. Take a look at the abbreviated Time Line of Science and Discovery on the preceding three pages. Select three inventions or events from the 1900s. For each event, list the prior inventions, discoveries and events that made your events from the 1900s possible. You may rely solely on the information in the time line. You may also include information from other sources.

2. From the Time Line of Science and Discovery, pick three entries from any period. Create two classification systems that could be associated with each of the entries you chose. For example, two classification systems that could be associated with Star Trek are: 1. Entertainment, United States, Television, Science Fiction, Series, 1960s; and 2. Entertainment, United States, Technology, Television, Production, Special effects. Use your imagination. Another Star Trek classification system could be: Entertainment, United States, Performers, Television, Commanders, Space, Good Guys, Kirk (Bad Guys, Kahn). Remember– the world and all that is in it can be organized and classified in infinite ways, limited only by the human imagination.

3. Think about a problem that is important to you. Maybe it’s how to improve pet care. Or how to increase the rate of learning new things without trying harder. Then scan the Time Line for discoveries and inventions that might help you solve the problem. Explain how they might do that. Then create a new system of classification that would result from applying the discoveries and inventions to your problem.

4. Many inventions can be used for good or bad. Pick two items from the Time Line and tell how good things and bad things have happened as a result of the invention or discovery.

5. Pick two items from the Time Line that have had only or mostly good consequences. Tell what those consequences were. Can you explain why few or no bad consequences have occurred?