Science & Technology:Progress or Danger?

Artificial Intelligence, AI, CRISPR, Genetic Engineering, Animal Testing, Mars Exploration, Science and Technology, Scientific Progress, Ethics, Debate, Reading Comprehension, Jigsaw Reading, ESL, EFL, A2, B1, 3e, Critical Thinking, Writing Skills
Is scientific progress always a good thing?
This engaging Newsroom Challenge invites students to explore the benefits and potential dangers of modern scientific progress through four highly relevant topics:

• Artificial Intelligence and Jobs
• CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
• Animal Experimentation
• Mars Exploration
  Designed for A2+/B1 learners and particularly suitable for French 3e / lower secondary ESL students, this visually engaging worksheet develops reading comprehension, vocabulary, speaking, critical thinking and writing skills through a structured, communicative approach.
  Students begin by predicting the content of the articles from pictures and headlines, before working on a useful science and technology vocabulary booster. They then read four accessible news-style texts presenting both the advantages and risks of contemporary scientific developments.
  A Jigsaw Mission turns the reading activity into collaborative learning: each student becomes an expert on one article before sharing the key information with classmates. Sentence starters are included to help students explain ideas, express advantages and disadvantages, and develop their spoken English.
  The lesson finishes with an opinion task and a short 60–80 word argumentative writing challenge based on the statement:
  “Science improves our lives, but we must be careful.”

Students are encouraged to justify their ideas using examples from the lesson and useful opinion language.
Learning objectives
Students will learn to:

• read and understand short news articles;
• identify benefits, risks and consequences;
• develop vocabulary connected with science, technology and ethics;
• share information through cooperative learning;
• express and justify personal opinions;
• use linking and opinion expressions;
• produce a short structured argumentative paragraph.
  Skills covered
  Reading • Speaking • Interaction • Vocabulary • Critical Thinking • Writing
  Why teachers will love it
  This resource is ready to print and teach, with a colourful, student-friendly layout and a variety of activities that move naturally from prediction → vocabulary → reading → collaboration → debate → writing.
  It works particularly well as part of a unit on:
  Science & Technology • Artificial Intelligence • Scientific Progress • Ethics • The Future • Innovation
  Level: A2+/B1
  Suggested age: 13–16
  Format: Printable PDF worksheet
  Suitable for: ESL / EFL / French collège 3e