Introduction
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Today we are going to BECOME explorers in 1909 and we are going to know in depth about the controversial race to the North Pole of Peary and Cook.
- The question—Who was first to the North Pole?—has been hotly debated, and still is to this day. Dr. Frederick A. Cook claimed that he reached the Pole on April 21, 1908. Cook claimed that drifting ice prevented him and his party from returning to civilization until 1909, when he made his announcement on May 21. In the meantime, Robert E. Peary claimed that he was the first to the North Pole on April 6, 1909. The Frederick A. Cook Society collection contains a wide range of materials on both sides of this controversy.
Task
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The goal of the quest is to decide who was the first explorer arriving to the North Pole.
- It´s important to point out that there is no a single correct answer, both explorers claimed to be the first in getting to the North Pole but there was not enough evidence of it. Nowadays it still continues to be controversial, many people are in favour of Cook, others on the side of Peary or even some others claim that they never got there! Your mission is to find out evidences and facts that support your side
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You will use the argument of the time to make the best case possible. There are no right answers. If you argue more effectively then your opponent, you win regardless!
3. Each of you will be assigned to one of the following groups:
1-Courtroom Officials: Judge, Jury Members
2-Reporters
3 y 4-Lawyers: The Prosecution (Cook) The Defense (Peary)
5- Witnesses: the Eskimos
Process
FACT FINDING:
ü Each group will use the Internet to gather information. If you select information from a site to use in the case, please note the URL of the site for future reference. (Remember this is a court case, and all evidence may be called into question.) Everyone in the group should take notes about the information you find.
a)General Facts: For setting in the story we are going to search first the solution to some general characteristic. Answer the questions listed below:
Conclusion
1. REFLEXIONS
The trial is over. You will be asked to reflect upon the following two prompts.
Self-assessment performance:
INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. How well did you act as a trial participant?
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2. Were you adequately prepared?
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3. Did you participate each day of the trial?
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4. Did you remain in your role. Did you dress and act the part?
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5. What are the issues behind this case?
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6. What were the origins of the controversy? Why it was produced?
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