Let’s Study Galileo: Understanding Science & Truth
Published:
August 18, 2019
Contributor:
Shannan Swindler
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Have you ever been so sure you were right, but you just couldn’t prove it? Then you have something in common with Galileo!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt that way more than just once. I always hope that I would have enough grace and humility to keep my cool. To be like Galileo and admit I didn’t have all the facts yet and that I needed to keep researching. But, odds are I’d crumble under all that pressure. Find out how this famous scientist stood up for truth under immense social pressure in the Let’s Study Galileo unit study.
GET YOUR FREE MINI-COURSE AT THE END OF THIS POST.
Let’s Study Galileo: Science & Truth.
There is something about proving you are right that is so enjoyable by us and by our kids, isn’t there? There is a good way to learn how to document & defend ideas. Studying great scientists like Galileo is a great way to learn about character, science, math and even literature and art. Specifically, studying scientists like Galileo is an awesome way to learn how to:
- Collect our thoughts and ideas in an organized manner.
- Understand the difference between good data & bad data.
- Learn how to collect good data.
- Practice expressing our ideas in a logical way with evidence to support them.
- Recognize where things went wrong and learn from our mistakes.
Studying the lives of great scientists like Galileo Galilei is an excellent way to learn about science and history while honing those critical thinking and communication skills all at the same time.
Who was Galileo Galilei?
Galileo, who lived in Italy from 1564 to 1642, was one of the first scientists to publicly denounce the geocentric viewpoint of Aristotle. That is, Galileo disagreed with Aristotle’s view that the earth was the center of the universe.
In a nutshell, Galileo knew he was right and spent a lifetime trying to prove it. To his last breath, his life focus was to convince the aristocracy and governments of the time that in fact, we live in a heliocentric universe. The sun is the center of the universe.
For his unwavering belief in a heliocentric universe, he was put on trial and sentenced to house arrest for the remainder of his life.
Galileo is considered a martyr and is included in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (p. 59 of this digital copy). He is mentioned in Shakespeare’s works, as well as a multitude of other dramatic and literary works. He life and work are even the focus of many famous works of art.
Galileo’s biography is full of exciting twists and turns (like a Hollywood movie!) along with some of the most groundbreaking science experiments in history.
Grab Your FREE Galileo Mini-Course Below!
Let’s Study Galileo.
It’s often easy to forget that Galileo lived at the height of the Scientific Revolution & the Renaissance. But, when Galileo is studied closely there is evidence everywhere of his impact on science, literature, art, politics and the Church.
The FREE mini-course below will help you understand what was happening around Galileo and why his contribution to science and history was so important then and how they were a foundation for later scientific discoveries.
Studying Galileo is a great “anytime” activity!
There are quite a few ways to go about learning about Galileo, here are a few favorites!
- Read up on the life of Galileo – Learn why Galileo is considered one of the most significant people in the history of science.
- Watch a fun video! Galileo biography – Via YouTube
- Do an experiment! You can conduct your own falling object tests. The experiment is in the FREE sample of the Let’s Study Galileo online course.
Learn on location at a museum.
Check out these great museums with Galileo exhibits.
- Plan a visit to The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, in Washington DC. You’ll find amazing online information for virtual learning and exciting hands-on exhibits when you visit in person.
- The Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy is an amazing museum dedicated to the life and work of Galileo.
If you can’t quite get to the museum, bring the fun right to you with these resources.
Books
There are plenty of books about Galileo. Check your local library or order from your favorite online book supplier.
Prime Videos
There are several good Amazon Prime Videos. Our family really enjoyed this series about famous scientists and other famous historical figures.
No matter what aspect of science you explore, it seems like Galileo had his hand in it. From astronomy to botany, mechanics to optics; Galileo impacted science and culture in ways we may never completely understand. There is so much to learn and admire about Galileo!
Learn More About Galileo & Grab Your FREE Mini-Course!
