Using Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts

Minnesota State University, Mankato
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2011
Using Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts
Stephanie N. Putt Minnesota State University - Mankato

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DigiPtaalrt of the Communication Commons Commons NReetcwoomrkmended Citation LPougtto, S. N. (2011). Using Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts [Master’s alternative plan paper, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/263/
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Using Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts
By Stephanie Putt
An Alternate Plan Paper Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts In English Technical Communication
Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, Minnesota December 2011

Using Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts Stephanie Putt
This alternate paper plan has been examined and approved. Examining Committee:
Nancy MacKenzie, Advisor Lee Tesdell, Committee Member

Abstract
Hugo Gernsback, the publisher of one of the first science fiction magazines and the man whom some people label as the godfather of modern science fiction, defined science fiction as ―a charming romance intermingled with scientific fact and prophetic vision‖ (cited in Westfahl, 1998, pp. 38-39). If science fiction truly includes scientific facts, it can have serious implications for the teaching of science to students, as well as implications for the general reader. Studies by Negrete and Lartigue, as well as by Stanhope, Cohen, and Conway, have provided evidence that information learned through narratives can be retained for a longer period of time than information learned through textbooks. The inclusion of science fiction novels into all levels of coursework, from high school to college, could promote learning of not only science but such skills as critical analysis, critical reading, research, and technical writing, to name a few. This paper examines novels by Michael Crichton, one of the most popular science fiction novelists of the 20th and early 21st centuries, to determine if contemporary science fiction writers include meaningful factual information in their novels.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER TWO: SCIENCE FICTION AS SCIENCE FACT.......................................................................................3 MICHAEL CRICHTON .........................................................................................................................................6 THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN .................................................................................................................................7 CONGO ........................................................................................................................................................11 JURASSIC PARK ..............................................................................................................................................13 PREY ...........................................................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER THREE: SCIENCE FICTION LEARNING AND RETENTION..................................................................21 CHAPTER FOUR: IMPLICATIONS - USING SCIENCE FICTION FOR EDUCATION...............................................27 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................32 WORKS CITED ................................................................................................................................................34

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Chapter One: Introduction
Science fiction has long been a popular literary genre. From Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein to H.G. Wells‘s The Time Machine to Douglas Adams‘s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, science fiction has fascinated readers of all ages around the world for over a century. Some read it for escapist purposes, while others have been so influenced by it that they become world-renowned scientists (Pohl). While there have been many popular science fiction writers, one of the most popular science fiction novelists of the 20th and early 21st centuries was Michael Crichton. His novels had a profound effect on the time period. First they were popular bestselling books, and then they became blockbuster movies.
This paper seeks to discover the truth, literally, behind science fiction. If science fiction novels contain truthful scientific information, perhaps they can be used to convey the latest scientific discoveries and information to the general public and to students. As discussed later, just science fiction in general, whether truthful or not, can have a profound impact on readers and lead them to scientific careers and greatness.
Research Questions Readers learn about places, people, groups, jobs, laws, and many other subjects
from fiction, and the information can stay with readers for long periods afterwards (Stanhope, Cohen & Conway, 1993). If that is true of non-fiction books and fictional novels alike, then it should also hold true for science fiction. Scientific facts can be conveyed through science fiction even for the most non-scientific of readers, as Negrete & Lartigue discovered through their study; ―in particular, [the results of the study]

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suggest that narrative information is retained for lengthier periods than factual information and that narratives constitute an important means for science communication to transmit information in an accurate, memorable and enjoyable way‖ (Negrete & Lartigue, 2010, p. 104). This literature analysis will focus on determining whether science fiction novels are meaningful ways of communicating scientific information. Therefore the research questions are:
 How much legitimate science is included in science fiction?  How is narrative information retained?  How can science fiction novels be used to teach legitimate science in today‘s
high school and college classrooms? Research primarily consisted of selecting literature on the main topics outlined in the research questions. In addition The Science of Michael Crichton: An Unauthorized Exploration into the Real Science Behind the Fictional Worlds of Michael Crichton was also referred to in order to determine how much science Michael Crichton actually inserted into his most popular novels (The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Jurassic Park, and Prey).

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Chapter Two: Science Fiction as Science Fact
Is there actual, factual, legitimate science in science fiction novels? Hugo Gernsback, the publisher of one of the first science fiction magazines, defined science fiction as ―a charming romance intermingled with scientific fact and prophetic vision‖ (cited in Westfahl, 1998, pp. 38-39). To Gernsback, scientific fact meant that the science fiction work ―is, or intends to be, compatible with current scientific knowledge, and it communicates this knowledge to its readers‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 171). Most importantly, the science fiction author makes the book ―compatible with current scientific knowledge‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 171) and that science fiction is factually based, even if the facts change over time. Even if the knowledge is later disproven, the book would still be considered science fiction because ―the writers were at the time sticking to what was thought possible‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 172). The science fiction authors ―tried to reconcile their imaginations with current scientific doctrine. Of course, ‗current‘ sometimes means what‘s in that morning‘s New York Times‖ (Pohl, 1994, p. 60). But the authors ―get credit for their intention,‖ and the books are not considered irrelevant just because they focus on obsolete science (McLeod, 2010, p. 172). ―The foremost reality that science fiction deals with is change,‖ so that is why readers accept that older science fiction novels contain obsolete scientific information (Pohl, 1994, p. 61).
The main reason Gernsback included ―scientific fact‖ in his definition of science fiction can be traced to its fans; ―what makes written sf [science fiction] distinctive as a genre is its relationship to its subject matter and to its core readership‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 173). Science fiction fans are more critical and interactive than fans of any other

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literature type; ―the interaction (and overlap) between readers and writers includes criticism, and sf fans are quick to pick up on science errors or implausibilities‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 173). Science fiction readers have an immense knowledge base, and they interact with each other at conventions, on the Internet, and through many different mediums. Because of this, science fiction authors have to be held to a different standard than authors of other forms of fiction. If a part of the science fiction novel is not plausible or if a theory has already been disproven, there will be uproar in the science fiction community, and readers will criticize authors for not following the ―rules‖ of science fiction.
But that is not to say that science fiction always gets it right. McLeod points out that ―current and recent sf has, of course, plenty of questionable science, which stays just within the limits of what science has not definitively ruled out…‖ (2010, p. 173). He even goes on to point out that not everyone follows Gernsback‘s definition of science fiction; ―even the best modern sf can commit science errors, or admit to very speculative science‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 173). But perhaps these errors are not without thought; ―since science fiction does tend to incorporate phenomena no one has ever experienced, writers need to take some liberties, however devoted they may be to scientific accuracy‖ (Pohl, 1994, p. 59-60). But even with the errors committed and the speculative science included in written science fiction, ―the fact remains that the science it does communicate is orders of magnitude more accurate than what we see in sf in other media…films, TV series, and computer games‖ (McLeod, 2010, p. 173).
Science fiction novels were loaded with real scientific theories even before Gernsback entered the scene. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, published in 1818, ―offers an

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exceptionally fascinating insight into scientific issues of the day‖ (Fara, 2010, p. 19). Shelley was not only a writer but a researcher as well; ―Shelley used fiction to present recent scientific discoveries … she drew on the latest research on electricity … she read many books and articles to make sure that she kept up to date on a variety of topics, including chemistry, evolution and Arctic exploration‖ (Fara, 2010, p. 19). Even before science fiction became a popular literary genre, Mary Shelley was making sure that the science in Frankenstein was real, authentic, and understood by the reader. This might be why Frankenstein ranks ―as one of the earliest examples of science fiction‖ (van der Laan, 2010, p. 298). Aldiss labels Frankenstein as ―the first real novel of science fiction‖ (2007, p. 353), and Shattuck says ―all written and filmed works in the immense category of science fiction have their roots in the ground prepared by Faust and Frankenstein‖ (1996, p. 100). It could be supposed that Gernsback looked back to the earliest science fiction novels, Frankenstein included, in order to refine his definition of science fiction. Reading all of the scientific facts that Shelley put into her novel, Gernsback may have decided that including true scientific information of the day was essential to a good, successful science fiction novel.
We know that science fiction novels before Gernsback‘s time, and long after, have included scientific facts as a main part of the story. As McLeod theorizes, the inclusion of scientific fact can be traced to the devotion of science fiction fans and their interaction with writers, other fans, and non-science fiction readers alike. This interaction influences science fiction, and the fans demand factual scientific information in all science fiction novels. The practice of science fiction novels being scientifically plausible continues because of the fans and because of the tradition.