Pale Blue Dot Assignment

Pale Blue Dot Assignment
Part 1:
Take some time to really think about what it is that you love about science. It doesn’t have to be what
you’re doing right now. What is the driving force that got you here? Find an image that depicts or
speaks to your relationship with science. There are no rules—it can be pulled from the internet, a photo
you took yourself, a memory that’s in your head that you have to sketch to bring to life, a painting, a
cartoon, it can be a scientific image or it can be a non-scientific image. The only thing that matters is
that this image speaks to your passion for or love of science.
Part 2:
Write one of the following to accompany this image:
● A college graduation speech – the image you select would be projected behind you as you gave
the speech.
● A letter to your great, great, great grandchild, to be read after you’re gone – the image would
be included in the envelope.
● A final message to humanity to be printed in a publication of your choosing upon your
death —the image would be printed next to it.
This piece may be written in English or in whichever language makes you feel most comfortable
expressing your ideas. If you do write your piece in a language that isn’t English, please do not worry
about translation. Simply hand in the piece as written.
The goal for all of these is to light your audience (or readers) up, and inspire them with your passion. I
recognize that that may sound like a difficult thing to do, but the function of this piece is to show them
the universe through your eyes so they can experience the same wonder or awe that you feel.
I urge you to let this assignment matter to you . To share real passion is a risk, and anytime you’re risking
something, those nagging voices will pop up and tell you to protect yourself. As you feel limits rise like
the ones we discussed in class (embarrassment, fear of judgment, that little voice that says “who are you
to change the world?” or “what would so and so think?”), notice them, and make the decision to push
through. Reread Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot or Bill T. Jones’ commencement address for inspiration. Look at
the image you’ve selected and allow it to inspire you. If nothing else, remember that you have nothing
to lose. This assignment will not be published or shared outside the classroom. It won’t even be graded
(10 points for submitting, 0 points for not submitting). This is for you . It is meant as an opportunity, and
I’m excited for you to take it!
I promise, I promise, each of you has something beautiful and important to say, and I have complete faith
that you can find it, even if for this assignment, what you find is the first step in a larger journey.

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