George's Secret Key to the Universe

Discuss the “Oath of the Scientist” as both a narrative device and an ethical framework. How does it shape the reader’s understanding of responsibility in science? How does it reflect the text’s key themes and ideas?

Explore how the novel portrays the tension between environmental preservation and technological progress. In what ways do George’s parents and Eric represent opposing yet complementary visions of caring for the Earth?

Analyze Annie and her role in the story. How is she characterized? How is her character arc different or similar to George’s?

Examine how communication and misunderstanding drive relationships throughout the novel. How do intergenerational and interpersonal differences—between parents and children, teachers and students, and among peers—reflect the larger challenges of learning and empathy?

George’s Secret Key to the Universe blends adventure narrative with nonfiction science writing. Analyze how this hybrid genre functions pedagogically. Does fiction make the science more engaging, or does it risk oversimplifying complex ideas?

Evaluate how Cosmos blurs the line between technology and personality. What does his characterization suggest about the human relationship with machines and artificial intelligence? What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of anthropomorphizing machines in this way?

Discuss how the Hawkings present a worldview grounded in science. How does the book encourage readers to find meaning in a universe explained by natural laws rather than divine intervention? What are the strengths and limitations of this approach?

Compare how formal instruction (Dr. Reeper’s class) differs from experiential learning (through Cosmos and exploration). How does each contribute to the understanding of the characters?