Galileo: Man of Science

by R. Rex Stephenson

and Mike Trochim

A drama for young people based on the life and scientific discoveries of Galileo. Cast of 5 or more; 45 minutes. Upper elementary and middle school . $ 6.50

The life of Galileo Galilei makes spellbinding drama, as Brecht well knew, and it makes an absorbing lesson in history and science for young people as told by Rex Stephenson and Mike Trochim. In this eminently tourable version, enlivened by comedy and song, Galileo's inventions and adventures have their lighthearted moments, but by the time the Spanish Inquisition brings him to court you'll find your audiences gripped by a deeply serious exploration of ethics and scientific inquiry.

The extensive, illustrated teacher resource guide for Galileo includes background information on Galileo and the philosophical climate of the times, classroom activities, glossary, questions for discussion, even a time line to help you set the ideas and events of the play in their historical context (Did you know Galileo was born in the same year as Shakespeare?) This is a good play to help theatre companies strengthen their relationship with schools, but it's also (or New Plays wouldn't be publishing it) simply a good play.

Galileo: Man of Science facilitates many "teachable moments" in the elementary curriculum. Its strength is the fact that it reinforces one of the main strands in the Standards of Learning throughout the grades. That objective states that students will plan and conduct investigations. Scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic are the key concepts to be internalized with hands-on activities that are done daily in elementary science classes. Galileo is a wonderful role model for children who are studying scientific investigation and how to follow its steps.

In our age of imaginative, bigger-than-life, fictional warriors, Galileo is a real super hero.
Mrs. Donna Speidel, Elementary Education Adviser