Let’s Study Galileo: Science & Truth
Galileo was one of the most famous scientists ever. Yet, it took nearly 300 years for the complete truth of his scientific discoveries to be accepted by the modern world.
He is perhaps best known for being a great astronomer and tirelessly repeating experiments to test and confirm results. So then, perhaps unsurprisingly you’ll discover that you encounter his scientific contributions all the time in everyday modern life.
Without Galileo:
- Isaac Newton would never have completed his three laws of motion,
- David Scott would never have dropped a feather and a hammer on the moon to test Galileo’s theory about falling objects.
- You wouldn’t have to be writing so many lab reports proving your hypothesis with sound data and results.
There is much to learn about this amazing inventor and mathematician and his incredible contribution to science. So we will just scratch the surface here and provide you some ways to extend your learning and make it fun all at the same time.
Who was Galileo Galilei?
Galileo, who lived in Italy from 1564 to 1642, was one of the first scientists to publicly denounce the geocentric view of Aristotle. In other words, he disagreed with Aristotle’s view that the earth was the center of the universe.
In a nutshell, Galileo knew he was right and therefore spent a lifetime trying to prove it and convince the aristocracy and governments of the era that in fact, we live in a heliocentric universe. The sun is the center of the universe.
For his unwavering belief in a heliocentric universe, he was put on trial and sentenced to house arrest for the remainder of his life.
Who was Galileo?
Galileo is considered a martyr and is included in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (p. 59 of this pdf). He is mentioned in Shakespeare’s works, as well as a multitude of other dramatic and literary works. Galileo is even the source of many famous Rennaisance paintings.
Galileo’s biography is full of exciting twists and turns (like a Hollywood movie!) along with some of the most groundbreaking science experiments in history.
Galileo’s most famous achievements include:
- Meticulously investigating & testing the simple machines theorized by Archimedes.
- Testing and retesting how different objects fall.
- Popularizing the invention of the telescope by refining the optics.
- Documenting the surface of the Earth’s moon, discovering the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn (even though he wasn’t quite sure what he was seeing).
- Documenting the movement of stars and planets (like Venus) as proof of a heliocentric universe rather than a geocentric universe.
- Questioning the authority of science & religion while being on trial by the Roman Inquisition.
- Every homeschoolers favorite! Denouncing the need for ridiculous & cumbersome uniforms in favor of dressing comfortably.
What’s not to love about Galileo?
He was a great man of style, intrigue, wit, intelligence, and integrity!
Galileo resources for your homeschool.
You can have fun learning about all of Galileo’s inventions and discoveries with these resources from Amazon.com.
Get the most out of learning about the incredible life and works of Galileo with the Let’s Study Galileo Unit Study.
In the Let’s Study Galileo Unit Study you will find:
- 22 lessons including experiments. (I recommend doing this course 2 days a week.)
- Videos, MP3 audio files, printable worksheets, online games, and interactives. It is chock full of resources for ages upper elementary through high school.
- Read & respond to questions about Galileo’s life, greatest accomplishments, and beliefs.
- Opportunities to review and test your knowledge.
- Fun, engaging experiments to learn more about Galileo’s most famous works and ideas.
- Assignments for final projects that include experiments, lab reports and fun ways to express your knowledge and understanding of Galileo.
- A multitude of videos offering quality, insightful instruction.
- Information about history and science museums dedicated to the life and work of Galileo Galilei.
The Galileo Mini Lesson & Complete Unit Study are Available NOW!
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Very interesting article. Will take a look at the study unit but may be a little old for my 6 year old. We recently went to the Galileo museum in Rome. It was amazing and he was an amazing man.
The museum in Rome sounds wonderful. The study is geared toward upper elementary, so 6 may be to young to do it independently, but there is much that is enjoyable if done together with an adult.