ERIC ED460830: Scientific American Frontiers Teaching Guides for Shows 701-705, October 1996-April 1997.

85 Pages·1996·3.3 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
SE 061 935
ED 460 830
Scientific American Frontiers Teaching Guides for Shows
TITLE
701-705, October 1996-April 1997.
Connecticut Public Television, Hartford.; Public
INSTITUTION
Broadcasting Service, Washington, DC.
1996-00-00
PUB DATE
81p.; Hosted by Alan Alda. Underwritten by GTE Corporation.
NOTE
Series produced by The Chedd-Anglier Production Company with
"Scientific American" magazine. Classroom materials produced
by Media Management Services, Inc.
Scientific American Frontiers Program, 105 Terry Drive,
AVAILABLE FROM
Suite 120, Newtown, PA 18940. Tel: [phone] (Toll Free);
Fax: [phone]; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site:
http://www.pbs.org.
Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC04 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Animal Behavior; *Artificial Intelligence; Biomechanics;
DESCRIPTORS
*Brain Hemisphere Functions; Cognitive Processes;
*Educational Television; Elementary Secondary Education;
*Robotics; *Science and Society; Science Instruction;
Technological Advancement
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Scientific American
IDENTIFIERS
Frontiers; *South Africa
ABSTRACT
These teaching guides are meant to supplement the seventh
season (1996-97) of the PBS Series "Scientific American Frontiers". Episode
701 is entitled "Inventing the Future: A Tour of the MIT Media Lab" and the
teaching guide contains information and activities on a virtual pet dog,
computers of the future, a smart car designed to prevent accidents, wearable
computers, and an interactive opera using hyperinstruments. The teaching
guide for Episode 702, entitled "Science Safari: A Scientific Expedition
through South Africa", includes information and activities on controlling
malaria, hominid fossils found in South Africa, a 16th-century royal burial
site, wildlife management in South African nature parks, and attempts to save
wild plants from extinction. Episode 703 is entitled "Pieces of Mind: Inside
the Human Brain" and features information and activities on 'split-brain
patients, the emotional aspects of memory, false memory, REM sleep, and
language learning. Episode 704 is entitled "Going to Extremes: Testing
Nature's Limits" and contains information and activities on funnel web
spiders, the physiology of mountain sickness, the biomechanics and physiology
of the cheetah and the pronghorn antelope, frogs and fish that survive
extremely cold temperatures, and new ocean species discovered by the Monterey
Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Episode 705 is entitled "Robots Alive!
Robots with Minds of Their Own" and presents information and activities on
robots that navigate mazes and clean tennis courts, a van that drives itself,
teaching a robot to walk on two legs, the attempt to create artificial
intelligence, and the Aerial Robotics Competition.
(WRM)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Scientific American Frontiers
Teaching Guides for Shows 701-705
October 1996-April 1997
Inventing the Future
Science Safari
Pieces of Mind
Going to Extremes
Robots Alive!
Hosted By Alan Alda
GTE
PBS
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and improvement
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
2
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
BEEN GRANTED BY
CENTER (ERIC)
O This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it.
O Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality.
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
1
official OERI position or policy.
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WELCOME TO THE
FUTURE!
Dear Science
1
Imagine a computer that would recognize faces of
Educator,
I
/We are
people and prompt you to remember their names
delighted
corresponds
to present
or a smart car that could sense when you're falling
to Inventing you with
this teaching
that kicks
the Future,
off the
guide,
asleep at the wheel. Scientists at the MIT Media
1996-97
an exciting
which
Airing
I
season
television
on PBS,
the season
special
of SCIENTIFIC
Lab believe all this and more is possible. Host
I
tionally
premiere
AMERICAN
on Wednesday,
is scheduled
I
FRONTIERS.
research
Alan Alda and the crew of
October
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
to broadcast
and wizardry
23, and
will feature
na-
at MIT's
I
take you there to meet scientists who
FRONTIERS
famous
technological
Over the
Media
past six
I
have
Lab.
are literally inventing the future.
years, thousands
come to
count
of educators
ideas
Be sure to visit our Web site (http://www.pbs.org/saf/) and try
on the FRONTIERS
and interactive
across
teaching
America
students'
classmom
our online activities (see pp.
guides for
14-15 in this guide).
You can also
interest
activities,
invaluable
in science.
all designed
who are
enrolled
This
visit us on America Online (keyword: frontiers). You and your
season,
to stimulate
in the
teaching
as in the
FRONTIERS
guide for
School
students can enter the Viewer Challenge
past, educators
4) and have a chance
(p.
Program
about
each of
I
the five
two to
will
receive
three
specials.
to win one of our terrific
T-shirts! As always, the activities
a free
weeks before
FRONTIERS
Look for
The five-part
your guide
each show
(and all other pages) in this guide may be photocopied for use in
airs.
FRONTIERS
old Wewers
series
alike,
entertains
showing
different courses and grade levels; please feel free to adapt them
while
and educates
profiling
us interesting
the men
young
1
Alda,
for your students.
and life-changing
and
and women
a long-time
who make
science science
series host
is always interested in hearing about your success-
it all happen.
buff, is
FRONTIERS
returning
and will
Alan
including
take
for his
us on location
ful science-related online projects. Send your creative ideas to
fourth
South
season
Africa
to excitMg
as
in November.
destinations,
GTE
the address in the box below and we'll include your ideas in
and Scientific
American
FRONTIERS
future teaching guides.
for two
are involved
key reasons:
the home
with SCIENTIFIC
it provides
and, just
as important,
intelligent
AMERICAN
the classroom.
television
FRONTIERS
FRONTIERS ON VIDEOTAPE
Let us
for
brings
FRONTIERS
take this
science
in your
opportunity
classroom
to life
America's
Videotapes of past shows are available through the School
to thank
in
and for
young
you for
helping
students.
using
shape
Program. If you missed a show or want to complete your
If you
the lives
have been
of
you back.
tape library, call 800-315-5010. Tapes are
with FRONTIERS
FRONTIERS
If you
over the
are new
many uses
years, it's
to the
$19.97 each, including shipping and handling. (Orders
series,
for this
nice to
welcome.
resource
have
in your
accepted with purchase order, credit card or check.)
We hope
incerely,
classroom
you'll find
this
r and beyond.
0,44.(je-
4e-e.
NEXT TIME ON FRONTIERS
Stay tuned November 20, 1996, when
Ch
arles R.
Lee
Cha
irman
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS travels to
and CEO
John J.
Hanley
GTE
Corporation
South Africa on a science safari for
!Cieli)
President
and CEO
this season's International Special.
t/fiC Americ
-
a
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS is closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and is narrated by Descriptive Video Service (DVS) for visually impaired audiences.
The series and School Program are endorsed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the National Education Association (NEA).
r M5 I
F1E
E
'T)A
YE
0 Always check TV listings to confirm air date and time.
We appreciate and welcome
0 As a teacher, you have off-air taping rights in perpetuity for classroom use.
your questions, comments,
0 If you can't find the show in your TV listings, call your local PBS station.
compliments and constructive
0 Do you need help? Call the FRONTIERS School Program at 800-315-5010.
criticism. Please contact us
.
. .
0 Videotapes of past shows can be purchased ($19.97 each). Call 800-315-5010.
BY MAIL:
M-1111Ery11115 REIJ TE
EETAFIln
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS
TILE 1911
105 Terry Drive, Suite 120
GTE Corporation, the series underwriter, makes available complete off-air taping rights
Newtown, PA 18940-3425
Educators
in perpetuity for classroom use of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS.
may record
I
each show when it airs on PBS and keep the tapes to use in the classroom year after
BY PHONE: [phone]
year. Educators may also photocopy all materials in this guide for classroom use.
BY FAX:
215-579-8589
If you know of other educators interested in receiving these guides, they may sign up by
BY E-MAIL: [email protected]
Calling the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS School Program at 800-315-5010.
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iraullo THE FUTURE
VIRTUALLY REAL
Meet Silas, the MIT Media Lab's virtual pet dog .
. .
Software agents that could help you navigate cyberspace
and the real world
Activities:
. Exercise your
An overview of the show and this guide ..
brain with thoughtful activities and questions
BODY TALK
In the future, computers may take the form of animated
characters like Gandolf or even a smart desk .
Alan
.
.
Alda hosts a cooking show using a smart camera
Activities:
A design challenge invites students to create their own
Graphing pixels
intelligent devices .
. .
SMART CAR
DEPARTIVITS
A smart car that could wake up the driver and prevent
VIEWER CHALLENGE
Find out more
accidents is already in the making ..
.
about the human brain
PICTURE
Activity:
THE BIG
Experimenting with artificial intelligence
SAF
ONLINE
PRIVATE EYES
COVER PHOTO: @LUCIANO GAGLIARDI/THE STOCK MARKET
Computers may turn up in your shoes, your glasses or
your jewelry
.,
,
Activity:
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Intiurr Inb THE FUTURE
Debating the role of computers and technology in society
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today and tomorrow
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NOTE: More detailed curriculum
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High-tech hyperinstruments meet opera in a new kind of
sheets to individual stories.
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Activities:
STORY
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.
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Learn about the physics of music by making low-tech
.
instruments
9:15
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11:03
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SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS iS made possible by an underwriting
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grant from GTE Corporation. The series is produced by The Chedd-
11:44
PRIVATE EYES
Angier Production Company in association with Scientific American
7:04
magazine and presented to PBS by Connecticut Public Television.
BRAM MUSIC
PBS
Classroom materials produced by Media Management Services, Inc.
*CHECK LOCAL
TIME
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,
SHOW 701
a4iiENCk
FRONTIERS
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DIV
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Octobcr
1996
at B pm on PBS
Student's Name
Teacher's Name & Course
Show 701, "Onvent5ng the
Watch SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS
Future,"
for answers to questions on this page. Answer the ten
questions correctly and you'll be eligible to
win a
7-sh5rti
FRONTIERS
VErtuany Real
6. The part of the brain that Roz Picard says "functions like the
fire alarm in your house" is called the:
1. What game does Alan Alda play in the smart room?
0 a. amygdala
0 b. cortex
Li c. Doom 0 d. Qin
0 a. Myst
El b. SimCity
CI c. hippocampus
Li d. neocortex
2. How are virtual animals like Silas different from robots, in
terms of the computer world?
Private Eyes
7. MIT students are experimenting with computers built into all
of the following except:
CI a. eyeglasses
111 b. clothing
Body Talk
Li c. shoes
CI d. watches
3. In the future, the character called Gandolf will be able
8. What happens when you walk on a shoe computer?
to recognize the content of:
0 a. emotions 0 b. gestures 0 c. faces 0 d. books
4. How does a smart camera system know how to find the
right shots?
ra5rt Music
9. What is the sensor chair designed to measure?
Smart Car
5.
List one thing a smart car might do if it senses the driver
10.
The rhythm tree, digital baton and sensor chair are
is getting sleepy.
examples of:
0 a. notation systems
0 b. new bands
CI c. hyperinstruments
Li d. musical scores
Onl\ti
Teachers
Por
When completed, this page can become an entry to the
Important!! Please include a separate cover sheet and tell us:
T-shirt contest; 20 winners (10 students, 10
number of challenges submitted
FRONFIERS
teachers) will be drawn at random for each show. To
teacher's name
enter the T-shirt drawing, send all completed challenges in
grade and course
one envelope with a cover sheet to: Viewer Challenge,
school name, address and phone number
105 Terry Drive, Suite 120, Newtown,
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS,
where your students watched the show
at home, at school or both
PA 18940-3425. Mail completed entries by November 22, 1996.
the name of your students' favorite story in this show
TIP: You can also download these questions on the
(conduct a quick poll to find out)
online sites on the
FRONTIERS
Thank you!
Web and AOL (see pp. 14-15).
ANSWERS TO VIEWER CHALLENGE 701:
1. c
2. animals juggle multiple goals, while
robots focus on one thing at a time
3. b 4. follows descriptions of actions in the script
5. turn on air-conditioner, sound warning, spray peppermint
6. a
7.
8.
as you walk, you
generate power; power builds up with each step
d
9. body's electric current or electric field
10. c
6
SHOW 701
VIEUla
hlyr
MEE
FRONTIERS
RE
The Evolution of Thinking Machines
your eyeglasses or clothes. They may also be quite different in brain
hat we think of as the computer started out as a bank of wired
power and applications from what we use today. You will probably talk
machines that filled a 30-by-50-foot room and weighed 30
to your future computer and it may even remind you of appointments
tons. Today, a handheld calculator has more computing power
than the first true electronic brain of the 1940s. As you see on
and assignments or the names and faces of people you meet.
this episode of FRONTIERS, the trend toward miniaturization continues.
Angat UfigMag
Computers in the future may be carried in your shoe or worn as part of
The earliest computing device in the world
(after fingers andJoeti:s-14elie.vAd:to-r.,have,been-
17th CentuRy
a primitive abaculTinventia'aboutr5;600 ygr-8.0-6.
LPw1w
In 1642, the French philosopher Blaise Pascal
invented a mechanical adding machine at the
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age of 19 to help his father, a tax collector.
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Pascal's calculator is considered a forerunner
J:;"
of the digital computer.
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In the 1830s, British mathematician
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TA Charles Babbage designed mechanical calculating
machines (Difference Engine and Analytical Engine)
British mathematician Alan Turing put his theories about
that used punched cards to solve math problems.
computers into practice during World War II, when he helped
American statistician Herman Hollerith invented a
build the Colossus to crack enemy codes. In 1944, U.S.
machine that used perforated cards to tabulate data
scientists built the Mark I, an automatic digital computer.
for the 1890 U.S. Census.
By today's standards, these two machines would seem slow,
1:1'3kii
but they could do math calculations faster than a person.
evq,131.k.
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1940s and 1950s
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116 'NAL
Wartime research launched the Information Age in 1946,
with the first electronic computer built to compute artillery
The third generation of computers put thousands
trajectories. The 30-ton Electronic Numerical Integrator and
of transistors on a board, called the integrated
Computer or ENIAC, powered by 18,000 vacuum tubes,
circuit. In the 1960s, the Cold War generated
could do in a day what it took one person a year to calculate.
research into a communications network that
The invention of the transistor in 1947 made smaller and
could operate in the event of nuclear attack
more reliable computers possible. In 1952, UNIVAC became
the foundations for today's Internet. Putting all
the first computer to accurately predict the results of a U.S.
the components on chips of silicon in the fourth
presidential election.
generation enabled computers and electronic
devices to become smaller, faster, cheaper and
more efficient.
6
s end
98
99
3
f>
Continued miniaturization made the microprocessor and personal computer possible; com-
puters continued to shrink in size but grow in brain power. In 1982, the word "Internet"
appeared for the first time. Internet usage has grown exponentially in the 1990s as millions
of people rush onto the Information Superhighway. Office and home computing networks
link people around the globe, while scientists tinker with the next generation of computers.
TIRE
SCIENTIFIC
AMERICAN
FRONTIERS
o behind the scenes at the MIT Media Lab and preview tomorrow
oiri
SHOW 701
as you meet some of the country's visionary computer pioneers. MIT professors Alex
(Sandy) Pentland and Pattie Maes and graduate student Bruce Blumberg demonstrate
11E vnE
their projects, which range from smart rooms to software agents that help users navigate
cyberspace. You'll also meet the lab's virtual pet dog and find out how computers of the
future might look and behave.
VE FAIE
C:11
II
VIRTUALLY REAL
The MIT Media Lab is a unique facility where
be used to explore various technologies and dis-
[111.1NRIORIG
TOME:
cuss and debate the role computers play in our
scientists and students play with technology. The
13:24
lab explores such concepts as virtual reality,
lives.
artificial intelligence, communications and other
CURROCULIUM
LINKS:
computer applications, from education to enter-
Activities on these two pages re-
tainment. Computer wizard Nicholas Negroponte is
COMPUTER
just
quire very few materials
SCIENCE
the founder and director of the lab, which com-
the creativity of the most power-
artificial
memorated its tenth anniversary in October 1995.
intelligence,
ful thinking machine on Earth,
programming
Research is supported by federal contracts and
your brain.
many corporations.
LITERATURE
You may wish to use these ac-
Scientists and engineers at the lab are among
science fiction
tivities as part of an integrated
the visionary leaders of the digital revolution. Their
PSYCHOLOGY
approach to technology. We hope
projects are the subject of this special show, from
learning
you will share the materials and
an intelligent agent posing as a virtual dog to smart
TECHNOLOGY
tell others on your team or in
cars, smart rooms and a smart desk that acts like
inventions
your school about FRONTIERS. "In-
a good office assistant.
venting the Future" provides ter-
This guide features a variety of activities to
rific opportunities for discussion.
accompany this futuristic show. Some activities
apply to computer technology, but many can also
...cslign a
Ang
Arc
1EN You
1ETE Too 5o,
Emartcr
How close are we now to being continually reach-
able? What devices allow us to stay in touch or to do
cslA
our work anywhere we happen to be? How do com-
panies gather information about us? (E-mail, cel-
Work with a
partner or
lular phones, pay-per-view, grocery store scanning
cards and credit cards are just some of the ways.)
group to de-
sign a "smart"
Now, imagine a world completely connected by
ASK
electronics for instant information exchange, a
school desk.
SOUITISTS
world where you are always reachable. Imagine
How would it
that the accessibility is accomplished by even
recognize you?
smaller computer chips than we have available
What would it
be able to do? How could your classroom
today and that a chip becomes your identification.
or
Doctors implant the chip in your wrist when you
school building also become smart? What parts
are born and it carries all your personal data.
of traditional school would become obsolete?
Sandy Pentland and
Pattie Maes, seen
Describe a day in this world. How would the
How would the desk change your study and learn-
in this segment,
ing habits? Include an agent or helper like Silas
chip change our money system, our identification
answer your
questions online.
system, our health care system, our buying power,
(the virtual dog seen on FRONTIERS). What would
See pp. 14-15
our reachability? What would the advantages and
the agent do?
for information.
See page 8 for more design challenges.
disadvantages be?
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS is made possible by an underwriting grant from GTE Corporation. Produced by The Chedd-Angier Production COmpany
in association with Scientific American magazine. Classroom materials produced by Media Management Services, Inc. For more information on the
1996, GTE Corporation.
School Program, call 800-315-5010. Permission is granted to teachers to reproduce this activity sheet for classroom use.
R buspacc
SCIENTIFIC
mifiag
EME
A
Tcc
AMERICAN
FRONTIERS
Observe and keep track of all the ways
List ten devices developed since 1900
you use computers or computer technolo-
that have changed how we communi-
MOW 701
gy in a single day. Don't forget the microwave
cate and transmit information.
OVIE
oven that pops your popcorn,
Select a focus: information,
[If TT Rf
or the card you use at
music, images, mixed
media, print materials, school for ID,
or the bank
message delivery, etc.
card you
Make a timeline of your devices
or your
and highlight how each inno-
parents use at
vation improved on the last.
the cash machine,
You may include the per-
or the greeting card
sonal computer, the
VIRTUARY REM
videophone, satellites,
that plays music! Make a list and compare it with
lists made by your classmates. Who can create the
television, CDs, etc.
Use the timeline on page
longest list? Identify how many items on your list
use semiconductors.
5 as a starting point.
MUD a HuraD
Etwoirk
HES
RESOU
not by a person or
Your loan has been denied
r>.- Scientific American:
a business, but by a computer. How is that possible?
"Smart
Cards," August 1996;
One of the more successful applications for artifi-
"The Culture Machine: Science and Art on the
cial intelligence (AI) determines what sort of a
Web," August 1996;
credit risk you are by using a series of if/then/else
"Smart Rooms," April 1996;
rules based on specific reasoning provided by a
business expert or by a neural network. In a neu-
"Intelligent Agents" and other articles in the
ral network, a computer has access to many case
TiLr1
special issue Key Technologies for the 21st
ul
T11
studies and, using reasoning similar to statistical
ol
Century, September 1995.
analysis, "learns" to make decisions. Your brain
c=-- Being Digital by Nicholas Negroponte (Vintage
uses rules to make decisions and is itself a neu-
Books, 1995).
ral network, with many more connections than a
Why would you want
computer.
a computer to perform
r=- Silicon Snake Oil by Clifford Stoll (Anchor
As part of a group, make a list of eight popu-
a quick and simple
Books, 1995).
lar CDs, then write a set of rules to determine
task like making coffee
or reading the news-
whether a particular CD should have a prime
I>- The Turing Option by Harry Harrison and Marvin
paper out loud to you?
position in a national retail music store. When
Minsky (Warner Books, 1992).
Who would benefit
you have finished, exchange your rules and
from these technologi-
CD list with another group. Compare rules
cal developments?
to make a decision about which three
Why would you want
CDs should be on the featured display.
a smart room or a
Would you trade
wearable computer?
See page 10 for another
activity that uses rules
a Hoe pet
t> Is the technology
in artificial intelligence.
age leading to the no-
fOr a virhlalE one?
privacy age?
c- Agents might help
you remember people's
names or help you get
around town. Can you
think of other useful
applications?
r=-- Besides security or
a warning system that
could alert parents to
what their children are
doing, can you think of
other ways a smart
room might be used?
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS is made possible by an underwriting grant from GTE Corporation. Produced by The Chedd-Angier Production Company in
association with Scientific American magazine. Classroom materials produced by Media Management Services, Inc. For more information on the
9
School Program, call 800-315-5010. Permission is granted to teachers to reproduce this activity sheet for classroom use. CO 1996, GTE Corporation.
NAU
SCIENTIFIC
AMERICAN
FRONTIERS
f computers as we know them disappear, what will future computers
SHOW 701
look like? The Media Lab is developing some intriguing possibilities to take computers
ORM fil5
out of the box. They include Gandolf, a character that interacts with the user; a smart
11E fUJIT
desk that helps the user; and a smart camera that can film a TV show without an operator.
Host Alan Alda shows how the smart camera works when he hosts a cooking show to
demonstrate one of his favorite recipes.
futuFE, Nt bg NZ
Eggncng
AUIVITY 1:
BODY TAlK
J ECTI \la
CRILDRINURIG
Build Your
TOME:
Apply principles and concepts from the research pro-
Drum rlathint
9:15
jects at the MIT Media Lab to alternative designs.
© (LEPER [ICU LLD Rfil
In this episode of FRONTIERS, you see a preview of
Use any of the concepts
LOINIVAS:
how scientists at the MIT Media Lab are invent-
seen on FRONTIERS,
COMPUTER
ing the future. Projects like smart rooms, wear-
SCIENCE
from wearable
artificial
able computers, intelligent agents and the Brain
computers to
intelligence
Opera may contain the seeds of future innovations
autonomous
MATH
that will force us to make a paradigm shift in the
agents, to
graphing,
way we think about computers today.
create your
vectors
Using some of the concepts explored in "Invent-
own personal assistant in
TECHNOLOGY
ing the Future," here's a chance to design your own
the form of a machine or
design,
inventions
vision of tomorrow. Brainstorm a computer appli-
appliance or.
(use
. .
.
cation or an invention that will make life safer,
your imagination!).
easier, healthier or simply more fun. Include a
lnutnt a
drawing of your invention and a brief description.
You may want to work with a partner or in small
Smart Car
groups. You can use some of the suggested appli-
cations below, or come up with your own ideas.
Think about the car you'd like to be driving in
Here are some questions to focus your creative
the next century. If you could select or invent any
thinking on:
features for this vehicle, what would they be?
Describe the interior and exterior.
L=.- What is the purpose of your invention?
c>.- In what ways would it help people?
>- How would you market it?
Early in the next milknnium
DB* a Smart bust
your right and kft cuff links
or Earrings may communicate
A smart house might be made up of many smart
ASK Tilt
with Each other by low-orbiting sat-
rooms. The smart rooms at MIT use cameras,
ellites and haue MOH computer power
microphones and other sensors; the rooms in
SOffITISTS
your house need not be limited to this hardware.
than your present PC. Your telephone
won't ring indiscriminately: it will
Mak( a Thing That Thinks
rEffillf, sort and perhaps respond to
your incoming calls like a well-trained
In this project, scientists want to move away from
Justine Cassell,
seen in this
designing the computer as a passive box on your
English butler.
segment,
desk by adding intelligence to objects or appli-
answers your
from Being Digital
questions online.
ances. Choose an everyday object and make it
by Nicholas Negroponte
See pp. 14-15
"smarter." How will it interact with the user? How
for information.
will it be helpful?
CEO
to
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS is made possible by an underwriting grant from GTE Corporation. Produced by The Chedd-Angier Production Company
in association with Scientific American magazine. Classroom materials produced by Media Management Services, Inc. For more information on the
School Program. call 800-315.5010. Permission is granted to teachers to reproduce this activity sheet for classroom use.* 1996, GTE Corporation.