Throughout the novel, technology and technological advancement play a key role. What is the overall role of technology in Foundation? How does technology help the Foundation secure its survival? What is the nature of the relationship between technology and religion throughout the novel? What overall message does this relationship convey?

Teaching Suggestion: Before discussion, it may be beneficial to call students’ attention to the role of technology in the modern world or in earlier periods of history. Small group members might “jigsaw” the task of investigating brief research topics under this heading, and then share 3-4 bullets of information for each topic in preparation for addressing the prompt from a comparative angle.

Differentiation Suggestion: English learners, students with dyslexia, and those with attentional or executive functioning differences might benefit from strategies for finding text evidence, such as the creation of a class-generated list pinpointing the most relevant sections.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“The Building Blocks of Empire”

In this activity, students will use critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative learning to design their own empire.

In Foundation, Hari Seldon and his followers seek to lay the foundations for a new and improved Galactic Empire in the distant future.