Interactive Lesson - The Fermi Paradox

1. The Fermi paradox was named after Italian physicist, Enrico Fermi.

But what is a "paradox"?

a) a scientific theory

b) a contradiction

c) an exploding star

2. The original version of the Fermi paradox can be reduced to one sentence:

              "Where is everybody?"

Who do you think he was talking about?


3. Watch the first 35 seconds of the video and decide whether your answer was correct.

4. Before watching the rest of the video, discuss the following questions and try to justify your opinions.

i) Do you believe that there is other intelligent life in the universe?

ii) Do you think that aliens have ever visited planet Earth?

5. Now read the following questions and then try to answer them as you watch the video.

i) Can we search the whole universe for signs of life or are we limited to looking at a small part of it?

ii) Why was the early Milky Way not a good place for life?

iii) What type of civilization do we have here on Earth?

iv) How long would it take to colonize the whole galaxy?

v) What could stop a civilization from advancing?

6. Do you still agree with the opinions you expressed in part 4? Why / why not?


7. Imagine you were asked to give a short lecture on The Fermi Paradox.

i) Watch the video again and take notes.

ii) Organise your notes into a maximum of 10 important points.

iii) Now, find someone who you think would be interested in this kind of thing and explain it to them.