Jessica Young, 7th Grade Social Studies, Cochrane Collegiate Academy
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Synopsis: Scientific discoveries are neither positive nor negative. Most scientists, in fact, set out to help the world. However, with every new discovery comes a new risk. Technological advances can be utilized for good or evil, depending on who is in charge. The Haber-Bosch reaction, discovered and refined before World War I, is one such example. Haber, a Jewish scientist, set out to make nitrogen from the air useful as a fertilizer. Without his invention, the world would have starved within 30 years. Bosch, another Jewish scientist, engineered a way to produce ammonia, the usable form of nitrogen, in mass quantities. However, at the start of World War I their process was used to produce explosives. The labs they led researched synthetic rubber and gasoline. Haber, a nationalist, discovered and weaponized deadly mustard gas. And, to bring it back around, elements in mustard gas were found to eliminate white blood cell cancers. So, throughout history, have scientific advances helped or harmed the world? Do they promote equality, or just bolster those in power? Using an inquiry-based model, students will analyze the benefits and consequences of the Haber-Bosch process. Students will use a variety of readings about the process, World War I, and current events to answer the data-based question.