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.

“Weighty Decisions”

In this activity, students pose as scientists and speculate on the outcomes of their decisions while connecting to the novel’s themes.

It is two years after the events of Jurassic Park. A billionaire asks you to genetically engineer a creature. Despite your reservations, you are considering the challenge. You need to decide whether to comply with the task or refuse the risk.

If you decide to engineer a creature:

• Describe your creature, including its origin, presumed nature, habitat, and anything else you might consider important information.
• Depict your creature in a way that the person who is either viewing or reading can easily imagine exactly what it would look and act like.
• Include an exploration of the possible downfalls of the creation of this creature, based on parallels from the book.
• Explain your reasons for creating the creature and why these reasons are more important than any possible downfalls.
• Be able to discuss the connection between your decision and at least one of the following themes: Humanity’s Desire to Conquer Nature, The Dangers of Unchecked and Profit-Driven Scientific Advancement, or How Money Corrupts Absolutely.