OFF WITH HIS HEAD!

This game "simulates" the heresy trial of Galileo in 1633.  It is designed to further introduce students to the "role-playing game" concept of learning.

It is loosely based on the RTTP (Reacting to the Past) pedagogy developed at Barnard College. 

In this game, students are divided into three factions.  Characters in two factions are assigned to do presentations involving

actual science from the time.  They must design these presentations and are judged by the third faction.

Ptolemy and the Church Versus Copernicus and Galileo 

In 1633 Galileo was tried for heresy by the Catholic Church.  He was in trouble for claiming the Sun was the center of everything, despite other scientists claiming the same thing.  He was in trouble, not for saying the Sun was in the middle of the Universe, but for saying it was irrefutable FACT and that any suggestion otherwise was basically stupid.  Since the Church officially said Earth was the middle of everything, this meant that Galileo was explicitly calling out the Catholic Church as being dumb! 

We will be reliving this heresy trial.  There are two opposing factions, the “Holy Rollers” and the “Science Geeks”.  Each faction has two characters who must do presentations.  Anyone who wants possible extra credit can present material as one of these two characters.  All other students will be part of the support staff. 

Each of these factions will teach their assigned material to the third faction (“The Unwashed Masses / Average Joes”).  These students don’t have to do presentations, but can receive extra points by asking questions and engaging the “Holy Rollers” and “Science Geeks” during their presentations.  This faction also serves as the jury during this trial.  They have specific instructions to grade each presenter.  Each presentation will be assigned point values and whomever scores more points from the Average Joes emerges the victor!  The low scoring team suffers potential consequences.  House arrest if you’re lucky…beheading if you’re not!

Checkout your TRIAL FACTION PAGES BELOW and then fill out the following GOOGLE FORM:

PRE-TRIAL GOOGLE FORM QUIZ