Marconi's Battle for Radio (OME) (Science Stories)
The Science Stories Books Series
on Goodreads (13)
What’s inside...
This text, part of the 'Science Stories' series, describes Guglielmo Marconi's struggle to prove that his ideas about radio signals were right. The book details the true story of a battle fought during a winter storm above the Atlantic Ocean, where Marconi was determined to demonstrate that his ideas about radio signals were correct. His courage and curiosity eventually led to the development of satellite TV, commercial radio, and laser communications. This book can be used as support material for Key Stages 1 and 2 in National Curriculum Science.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Guglielmo Marconi
Discussion points
What do you think were some of the biggest challenges Marconi faced while trying to invent the radio?
How did Marconi's invention change the way people communicate? Can you think of a modern invention that has a similar impact?
Why do you think persistence was important for Marconi's success?
How do you feel about the way Marconi dealt with competition and setbacks?
What qualities do you admire in Marconi, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing Marconi's challenges, relate it to a personal story of a time you faced a difficult problem and how you overcame it. This personal connection can help deepen your child’s understanding.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them to compare communication technologies from Marconi’s time to today. This can help them appreciate the evolution of technology and its impact on society.
Highlight the theme of persistence by discussing its importance in achieving goals. Ask your child about a time they had to persist to succeed in something, whether in school or outside.
Discuss the ethical implications of competition as portrayed in the book, asking your child how they would handle similar situations in school or with friends.
Praise the character traits of Marconi that your child admires, tying them back to how those traits can be relevant and beneficial in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story showcases Marconi's relentless pursuit to develop radio communication despite numerous setbacks and disbelief from others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to continue working towards their goals, even when they encounter obstacles or when others doubt their abilities.
Example Lesson: Importance of innovation and curiosity
Explanation: Marconi's curiosity and innovative thinking led him to explore and eventually succeed in a new form of communication that changed the world.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to remain curious, explore new ideas, and understand that their innovations can make a difference in the world.
Example Lesson: Value of education and knowledge
Explanation: Marconi's success was partly due to his dedication to learning about electricity and electromagnetism which laid the groundwork for his experiments.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value their education and see it as a tool that empowers them to achieve their dreams and impact the world.
Example Lesson: Overcoming skepticism with evidence
Explanation: Marconi faced skepticism from the scientific community but overcame it through practical demonstrations of his technology, proving its efficacy.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of substantiating their claims with evidence and the power of showing rather than just telling.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and seeking guidance
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Marconi collaborated with various experts and sought mentorship which played a crucial role in his achievements.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of teamwork and seeking advice from those more experienced as a way to learn and achieve success.