Introduction
Jane Foster responded colleague Eric Selvig that science fiction is a “precursor to science fact.” But just how factual is some of the science in our Marvel films? How close are we to making some of the awesome science and technology suggested in Marvel films a reality?
Task
Your task is to research and investigate a topic of the science or technology presented in Marvel films.
Select a topic from one of the films below and watch the film(s) to see how it works, identify the strengths/weaknesses, and how characters react to the science or tech. Do additional research both in the realm of pop culture as well as the realm of academic science and technology to determine just how factual or realistic your selected science or technology just might be:
· Topics from Iron Man series: the exoskeleton or Iron Man suit; War Monger suit; Iron Patriot suit; artificial intelligence (A.I.) JARVIS or FRIDAY; regenerating limbs from plant materials; arch reactor or “clean energy”
· Topics from The Avengers series: metabolism/speed/friction/”suit” for Quicksilver; gamma radiation and Bruce Banner; artificial intelligence (A.I.) Vision or Ultron; psychic abilities; nanotechnology (Ultron/Vision or Hawkeye); Helicarrier; “peace-keeping” programs; life on other planets/universes (Chitauri)
· Topics from Captain America series: genetic enhancement or super solider; cyborg or hybrid man-machine (Winter Solider); flying technology (Falcon); Helicarrier (next generation); cryo-freezing or cryogenics;
· Topics from Thor series: Einstein-Rosen Bridge (wormholes); dark matter; planet or “world” alignment (Convergence); The Destroyer or animated suit of armor;
· Topics from Ant-Man: shrinking humans; controlling ants; closing the distance between molecules;
· Topics from X-Man series: mutation; mind control blocking helmet; irradiating humans to create mutants; mutant “cure;” evolution and mutation; Cerebro
· Topics from Blade series: vampirism; UV arch bow; UV bullets; vampire serum to curb thirst for blood; mutation; Vampire “Final Solution;”
· Topics from Fantastic Four series: mutation; solar or high energy radiation
· Topics from Guardians of the Galaxy series: rocket boosters for flying, lazar guns, tractor beams, Yondu’s arrow, Ego’s ability to manifest an avatar, Mantis’ empathic abilities
· Topics from Dr. Strange: spells, incantations, projection of energy bolts, slashes, binds, shields, and balls; flying cape; alter time; manipulate various planes of existence
After locating and examining the research on your topic, you need to synthesize the information as a method of understanding. You will do this by crafting a Review of Literature, an MLA document that follows the pattern below:
What is a review of literature?
The format of a review of literature may vary from discipline to discipline and from assignment to assignment.
A review may be a self-contained unit — an end in itself — or a preface to and rationale for engaging in primary research. A review is a required part of grant and research proposals and often a chapter in theses and dissertations. Generally, the purpose of a review is to analyze critically a segment of a published body of knowledge through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles.
Writing the introduction
In the introduction, you should:
· Define or identify the general topic, issue, or area; what topic are you researching from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what makes it compelling to study?
· Point out overall trends in what has been published about the topic or what are other people already saying about the topic/issues/area; briefly, using a summarizing method, share what others think about the science and technology you’ve been researching
Writing the body
In the body, you should explain the research in more detail by discussing it as follows:
· Group research (reviews, articles, etc.) according to common denominators such as conclusions of authors, specific purpose or objective, chronology, etc.; organize the research you conducted according to themes and patterns of information
· Summarize individual articles with as much or as little detail as each merits according to its comparative importance in the literature, remembering that space (length) denotes significance; articles that are significant to your research should be briefly shared in a short paragraph with an explanation of why that article is important
Writing the conclusion
In the conclusion, you should:
· Conclude by providing some insight into the relationship between the central topic of the literature review and a larger area of study such as a discipline, or a scientific endeavor; how realistic is the science or technology?
