Like Star Wars Day in May, fans of futuristic and dystopian stories celebrate the unofficial holiday of National Science Fiction Day every year on January 2. Get students talking about this unique event to capitalize on their individual interests and ease them back into the classroom after winter break.

• Dig into science fiction texts in ELA
• Discover what puts the “science” in National Science Fiction Day

[Dig into science fiction texts in ELA](id-ela)

Key takeaways:

• Explore science fiction stories on topics like space travel, dystopian societies, and AI.
• Use paired text analysis activities to help students compare and contrast science fiction with other genres.
• Use science fiction topics and themes to build debate and discussion skills.

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Students can explore the wide world of robots, space travel, and other science-inspired topics with these National Science Fiction Day ELA activities:

What science fiction stories will engage students?

Introduce students to the science fiction genre with short stories like:

• “A Little Journey” by Ray Bradbury
• “Galileo” by EJ Delaney
• “The BEARs of Syria Planum” by Angie Smibert
• “Show and Tell” by Justin Werfel
• “The Long Night” by Steve Vance

Looking for something longer to read as a whole class novel or suggest for independent reading? Check out Newsela’s science fiction novel studies!

How can I teach dystopian fiction in the classroom?

How much do your students know about dystopian fiction? Analyze this subset of science fiction with a paired text analysis.

• Assign the fictional story “The Orb” by Rebecca Birch.
• Have students read a nonfiction article about the appeal of dystopian novels for teens.
• Ask students to complete the paired text analysis worksheet using the focus question, “What is the main idea of each text, and how are they connected?”

How are science fiction stories and fairy tales alike?

Are science fiction stories and fairy tales similar? Students can explore this question by examining texts from both genres.

• Assign the science fiction story “Her Hands That Held Stars” by Rebecca Birch.
• Next, have students read the fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen.
• End the lesson by having students complete a comparing themes graphic organizer while considering the question, “How does each story approach the theme of changing perspectives in similar or different ways?”

Are there ways to explore space exploration through fiction?

Science fiction and space travel have been deeply intertwined since the 1960s. Use a paired text analysis to help students make connections between the topics.

• Have students read the fictional story “The Actuarian” by Angie Smibert.
• Assign a nonfiction article about teenage astronaut Alyssa Carson and her dream mission of going to Mars.
• Individually or in small groups, have students complete a Venn Diagram comparing the fictional character Victoria Carstairs in “The Actuarian” to real-life aspiring astronaut Alyssa.

Does life exists beyond planet Earth?

Many science fiction novels feature out-of-this-world characters, such as Martians or aliens from outer space. Students can learn more about life in outer space with this paired text analysis.

• Ask students to read Chapter 2 of “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells
• Next, assign a nonfiction article about an unusual NASA job: Planetary protection officer.
• Have students complete a paired text analysis worksheet while considering the focus question, “How do the genre and style of each text impact the author’s message?”

Can my students debate the ethics of artificial intelligence?

AI isn’t just for science fiction anymore. Use this topic as a starting point for a class debate on the ethics of using this new technology.

• Learn more about AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio and his team in Montreal, who are working to promote responsible AI development.
• Explore the potential risks and benefits of using AI in everyday life.
• Watch a video that digs into how students use ChatGPT and how it affects education.

[Discover what puts the “science” in National Science Fiction Day](id-sci)

Science fiction may not be true, but the science concepts that inspire some of the stories in the genre are! Help students build background knowledge on the real phenomena that influence the events in popular science fiction tales.

Are zombies real?

Do zombies really exist? Maybe not in the way they do in science fiction stories, but the concept of the undead exists in nature. Students can learn more about these rare, but slightly creepy, occurrences through articles on topics like:

• The history of zombies in various cultures and their portrayal in media.
• What parasitoid insects are and how their behaviors are similar to fictional zombies.
• Why monsters and creatures like zombies are so popular in fiction.

How can I teach my students the properties of elements?

Superhero stories like Black Panther and Captain America incorporate fictional elements, such as vibranium, that influence the plot of those tales. Students can learn more about real-world elements around us every day and their properties.

• Discover if scientists could ever make a metal like vibranium in real life.
• Learn more about the properties of matter, like boiling point, hardness, and solubility.
• Explore the different types of ore and how they’re mined, processed, and used.

What can I teach my students about robotics?

Robots and AI are common themes and characters in science fiction novels. Students can learn more about how robots work in the real world with articles on topics like:

• How robot “twins” could help students attend school even when sick.
• What motivated a group of sixth graders to develop a robot that cleans trash out of the ocean.
• Why adding special robots to hospitals could help young patients decrease anxiety and fear over procedures.

How can my students explore the science behind potential life on other  planets?

Science fiction stories sometimes send their heroes to start life on another planet. Students may wonder if that will ever happen in the real world. Dive deeper into that topic with content like:

• Teach students about the capabilities of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
• Learn more about NASA’s Artemis 1 missions, meant to establish a base on the moon and send humans to Mars.
• Share a video about how a space launch works.

Newsela: Your final frontier

Tapping into student interest topics that align with your curriculum and state mandates is one of the most effective ways to keep them engaged and excited to learn, while meeting your educational goals. 

Newsela’s subject products can help your students build background knowledge, practice in-context literacy skills, and explore diverse perspectives during holidays like National Science Fiction Day and beyond.

Not a Newsela customer yet? Sign up for Newsela Lite for free and start your 45-day trial. You’ll get access to our premium ELA, social studies, and science content and activities to take your lessons, as Captain Kirk would say, “where no [teacher] has gone before!”