Name: Benjamin Winokiur-Applebaum

Year 2016

Title Of Notecard:

Benjamin Franklin and His Contributions To Science

Source:

“Science.” Colonial America , edited by D. Thorp, Dr., vol. 9, Danbury, Connecticut, Grolier, 1998, pp. 671-74.

Quote:

“In 1751 Franklin also set up the Academy of Philadelphia, which formed the basis of the University of Pennsylvania, a center for scientific learning. Franklin invented the lightning rod and much of the terminology that is still used to describe electricity (such as positive and negative). He also designed an iron stove that was much more energy-efficient than the open grate type popular at the time. Bifocal lenses were another of Franklin’s ingenious ideas.” 

Paraphrase:

• In 1751 Benjamin Franklin created the basis of what would become the University of Pennsylvania, the Academy of Philadelphia.
• This academy focused on science and was really a center for scientific learning.
• Benjamin Franklin invented an object which was a electric conductor supposed to be mounted on top of a building so when lighting struck it would strike the rod and go through the wire into the earth. This prevented fire or possible electrocution. He called it a lighting rod.
• He also invented the vocabulary used to talk about positive and negative energy.
• Franklin was credited for an iron stove. It was a more energy efficient option than the grate type stove.
• Benjamin Franklin also invented eye glasses, this was another genius idea of Franklin’s.

My Ideas:

Benjamin Franklin is credited for a lot of inventions and scientific contribution. He created academies and opportunities for people with scientific interests to learn. In 1752 he proved that lighting was electricity in the atmosphere by flying a kite in a brutal storm. On the string of the kite, he attached a key to attract lighting. I wonder if Benjamin’s up bringing created opportunities for him to discover these things. After researching this I found that most scientists developed their interests while learning a trade. Benjamin finished his education at the age of 10 and apprenticed his brother. He worked at a printing plant. He later developed a fascination for science his friend sent him a device that generated electricity. This sparked his joy for science and i’m sure his education helped. I infer that at the time no body at his time learned a lot of science in their education. They would usually develop interest during their future work life. Benjamin went on to create possibly the most revolutionary device world the medical world, the Bifocal lenses. I wonder what would have happened if Benjamin were not sent that device that generated electricity. I infer that science would have created a lot of the devices way later. This shows that Benjamin Franklin was the most respected scientist at the time and that he sparked the scientific revolution.

Name: Victor Schwartz
Year: 2015

Title of Notecard: The Enlightenment
Source: Raum, Elizabeth. The Cold Hard Facts About Science and Medicine in Colonial  America. North Mankato: Capstone Press, 2012. Print.
Quote(s): Though many people were superstitious in the 1600s, educated people had begun to take steps into modern science. English Philosopher Sir Francis Bacon once declared, “knowledge is power.” He encouraged people to study the world around them sir Isaac Newton followed that advice when he noticed an apple falling from a tree. Why did it fall? He developed the idea that gravity pulled things toward the center of the Earth. This kind of scientific discovery was part of a new way of thinking called the enlightenment. The enlightenment eventually reached America. Some people held on to superstitious beliefs. But educated colonists turned to science. At first colonists used science to solve practical problems. They studied the soil, plants, and wildlife of America. They learned which crops grew est. They learned which reptiles were poisonous. They began to understand the climate. This study of science helped them survive.

Paraphrase:

• Many people were superstitious in the 17th century.
• Educated people began to study science.
• Sir Francis Bacon said, “knowledge is power.”
• He told the world to learn about the world they live in.
• Isaac Newton listened to his advice and studied the world.
• He let the world know about gravity.
• There was a new way of thinking called the enlightenment.
• The enlightenment found its way to America.
• Some colonist still had religious beliefs.
• But educated colonists turned to science.
• First colonists used science to solve simple and every day problems.
• Then they studied the botany and biology of America.
• They learned what crops were the best to grow.
• They learned what reptiles to stay away from.
• They learned about the climate.
• Their study of science was a factor in how they survived.

My Ideas: In the 17th century lots of people were superstitious because of religion and its role. But educated people began to study science. An English Philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon encouraged the world to study the world in which they live. Isaac Newton learned about gravity and told other people about it. This type of scientific discovery was a new way of thinking and living called the enlightenment. The enlightenment got to America where the colonists lived. In America some people still had religious beliefs but more educated people looked to science for answers. I can infer that they did this because science was becoming more popular and also they might have been bored with religion and its stories. At first colonists used science to solve everyday problems, because they probably didn’t know what else to use it for. But after they used to study America and its fertile soil and unknown to the English wildlife. They also used to make sure they lived, because they were probably confused why some of the people were dying and needed to figure it out. I wonder when or if all colonists used science to survive. I wonder when people noticed how important science was. I wonder how some of the colonists were better educated than others.