THEMATIC ESSAY
This thematic essay adheres to New York State Learning Standard 4- Economics, Intermediate Level, Key Idea #1. Additionally, this assignment corresponds with the National Social Studies Curriculum Standards thematic strand of science, technology, and society.
This thematic essay is designed as an in class assignment to assess student learning when your study of early twentieth century business and innovation is complete. During this Unit teachers should review inventions and inventors that enabled the growth of industrialization. The Inventors Discovery Kit should be used to illustrate the contributions of George Eastman, Thomas Edison, and Wilhelm Roentgen.
Teachers should display images of American inventions and inventors from the Discovery Kit for students to reference during their writing. Particularly, images should be utilized to reinforce the theme of science and technology.
DIRECTIONS
Utilizing the images, their historical context, and your knowledge of United States history complete the following task.
THEME
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-
From 1865 – 1920, America developed a prosperous industrialized economy due to inventions and production processes. These new machines changed the way American’s lived their lives. Along with science and technology advancements came social changes such as the rise of cities, factory work, new markets, and increased communication.
TASK
Identify two inventors from the time period 1880-1920. Be sure to include information detailing one product or technological advancement each inventor was responsible for. Use specific language and detail to discuss how that product either positively or negatively influenced American society.
GUIDELINES