1. XIb PROJECT
The Biggest Breakthrough
The Shortlist
Some great ideas come about by chance, others only after years and years of hard work,
endless investigation, a process of trial and error. Some great ideas have a huge impact
on all of mankind, others may affect only a few, although for those few the impact will be
enormous.
As part of a team writing a book on Man’s Greatest Achievements, you need to
brainstorm which discoveries / inventions should be included. Consider ideas ranging
from how to make fire, the first language through to examples of modern technology and
space travel.
Once you have come up with a large list, decide which ten are the most important. Each
of these will have a chapter of its own.
The Book
Each of you should now choose ONE of the discoveries on your shortlist. Write an article
on this discovery that will be the main content of the chapter on this topic. You should
include information on how this breakthrough happened – who made this discovery?
when? how did they do it?. Also mention the impact it has had and why it is particularly
important.
You may want to consider how life would be without this, or what use can be made of it
in the future.
Once you have all your chapters, put them together to make a booklet. Design a cover
and write an introduction.

2. The Debate – your best contender
Of the breakthroughs you have discussed in your book, which do you think represents
the biggest breakthrough for mankind? Prepare lots of good reasons to make your case!
The Debate – May The Best Man (or Gadget) Win
Following the debate rules outlined by your teacher, present your case and be ready to
deluge your opponents with cunning questions and counter arguments to make sure that
your invention / discovery wins the title of The Biggest Breakthrough!
*Useful website: http://library.thinkquest.org/C002942/help/index.shtml
(remember you will lose marks, or even score 0, if you simply cut and paste info from
websites)