magnifier
Teach PA History
magbottom
 
"The Scientist and The Prince: Two Interesting Early Pennsylvania Immigrants
Extensions

1. Enlarge your study of immigration to look at general settlement patterns in Pennsylvania. Where are people coming from? What factors are leading them here? How different are Gallitzin and Priestley from the "typical" immigrant, or are they? 2. For a more in depth study of Prince Gallitzin and Joseph Priestley, ask students not only to identify the objects in the shoe box, but to conduct an analysis with one of them. For instance, students can uncover Priestley's support of the French Revolution and association with the Revolutionary Society by interpreting the political cartoon, A Birmingham Toast. Or, they can understand Gallitzin's religious ideas as read in the preface to Defence of Catholic Principles. 3. Ask students to create a shoe box for themselves. What artifacts/materials (3 or 4) would they put in a shoe box to represent their achievements and life 200 years from now? Have each student present their shoe box to the class and write a clear explanation of their choices for assessment. 4. For a scientific extension, build a lesson around the scientific method of Priestley's experiments. Explore some of his experiments in greater detail in a chemistry lab:

  • Discovery of the conductivity of graphite (or understanding of conductivity in general)

  • Invention of "soda water" (carbon dioxide in water)

  • Identification of the gas "oxygen" and "nitrous oxide" (a look at this elements and how they function in the world)

  • Discovery of the process of photosynthesis


Field Trips

The Joseph Priestley Home and Museum found in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. 472 Priestley Avenue Northumberland, PA 17857 (570) 473-9474
The Joseph Priestley Home and Museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with support from the Friends of the Joseph Priestley House. Students can tour his home, view his laboratory equipment, and learn more about Priestley's versatile mind, varied interests, and the interpretation of his life.

Back to Top