Designed for middle school students aged 11 to 13, this activity focuses on the geographical and astronomical discoveries that have changed the image of the world.
Through quotations from Francis Godwin, John Wilkins, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Fontenelle, as well as reflections on the contemporary world, the activity addresses values such as the importance of evidence over tradition, the absence of prejudices, and dialogue among different cultures and viewpoints. These discussions are contextualised within the historical and scientific framework of maritime voyages between the 1500s and 1700s, as well as the evolution of maps and astronomical instruments used during that period. Discoveries of new lands are compared to Galileo Galilei's contemporary celestial discoveries, offering the opportunity to discuss the plurality of worlds and the multiplicity of viewpoints.
The aim of this activity is to promote critical thinking about contemporary society by retracing the steps of geographical and astronomical discoveries that have influenced our understanding of the world.
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