Exploring Pendulums; Recreating Galileo's Drama

What goes on as a pendulum swings? As undergraduates in my science class observed pendulums closely, their explorations exposed questions with no quick answers. While exploring pendulums in class, students researched Galileo, his trial, and its aftermath. Galileo came to life both in their presentations about him, and in the context of lab investigations by the emerging class community. Questions and experiments evolved continually; differing perspectives on science and authority were exchanged respectfully. In rediscovering their own capacity for wonder, students developed as critical explorers of the world.