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Nov. 29, 2006
Imagining Change
As a science fiction writer, it's my job to imagine what might happen. Sometimes, I think about how new technology could change things around me. For example, if flying cars become widely used, will some roads be turned back into fields or forests? Would we have driveways or places on our rooftops for landing?
Thinking about change is fun. And it's important. It's how we plan for the future. We take what we know and make predictions.
Weather is something that constantly changes where I live. Maybe it does where you live, too. Forecasters do their best, but, like most people, I rely on what I know of the seasons. It's going to be colder soon. I've already put my shorts and T-shirts away for the winter and pulled out sweaters and boots.
What if your weather changed in a way that was different from before? What might you need to do differently? To imagine it for yourself, try the following challenge.
Challenge: A Change in Plan
- What do you enjoy doing most outside at this time of year? Playing a sport? Which one? Do you swim? Bike? Walk with friends?
- How does your normal weather affect this activity? Do you need to wear certain clothes? If it rains, can you still do this?
- Now, for fun, imagine that instead of your normal weather, you woke up tomorrow to find the opposite. For example, if you live where it rains in November, imagine there's been no rain for weeks. If you live where it's warm in November, imagine it's very cold—maybe snowing! What changes would you need to make in order to do your favorite outdoor activity? Would you be able to do it at all? Why or why not?
- You can do this again for any other outdoor activity that you enjoy.
Going Further:
If the weather this month turned into its opposite, what else would be different in your community? What would walking to school be like? What might happen to traffic or gardens? Farms? What was being sold in stores? You know more than you realize about what should happen. Use that to predict what might.
If you wish, send your ideas to us at scifizone@snkids.com. If we use yours, you may be eligible to win a prize! Please include your first name, age, city or town, and state. If you are under 13 years old, get your parent's permission to write to us.
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