Prompt: How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?

Object #1: The Kepler space telescope:

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_space_telescope

My first object is the Kepler space Telescope. This object shows that material tools have
a limit no matter their importance.
The Kepler Telescope is a material tool that was used by NASA to observe stars and
exoplanets. This telescope helped us discover potential habitable exoplanets by surveying a large
sample of stars. Astronomers used the Kepler space telescope to identify more than 2,800
potential exoplanets outside of our solar-system, that could be places for life. Kepler helped us
discover if life could exist outside of our planet and solar system.
Unfortunately, in October, 2018, the telescope ran out of fuel so NASA decided to retire
it and let it continue its current orbit around the sun for eternity. Kepler will be replaced by two
other telescopes that are more advanced: the James Webb Space Telescope and the Transiting
Exoplanet Survey Satellite.
This object was included in the exhibition because it demonstrates the idea that there is a
limit for material tools no matter their usefulness. Kepler was a very important material that
helped scientists answer the question: “Is there life outside of earth?” Thus, it can be concluded
that the Kepler telescope is essential to the acquisition of knowledge about our universe.
However, it was replaced by more advanced tools that work more efficiently.
This object shows that even if a material tool is important in the production or acquisition
of knowledge, there will come a time when it will be replaced. Especially when it is a
technological tool, the chances of it getting replaced are high, regardless of its accomplishments.
Material tools are not going to be used forever, there will be a time where they will become
useless because of new technologies.
Object #2: Galileo’s metallic sphere:

Image: http://crm.atent.com.tr/index.asp?iid=56573545&cid=41

My second object is the metallic sphere that Galielo used in one of his experiments. This
material tool is the evidence that material tools are not only important to acquire knowledge but
also to disprove other theories and lead to new discoveries.
A metallic sphere served in one of Galileo’s experiments to prove that the acceleration
due to gravity is uniform for all objects. Galileo dropped two spheres of different masses from
the Leaning Tower of Pisa to demonstrate that their falling time is independent of their mass.
This ball experiment disproved Aristotle's theory that stated that objects fall at a speed that is
proportional to their mass. Galileo proved that, on the contrary, a body in free fall will in fact
continue to fall in constant motion. Aristotle’s theory was long believed by many scientists, yet,
by using this material tool, Galileo proved his theory and at the same time disproved Aristotle’s
theory of gravity. It also helped Newton acquire equations that helped him with several theories
and laws: the Gravitational Law, Calculus, Law of Universal Gravitation, Laws of Motion…,etc.
In fact, the primary motive of Galileo with this ball was to disprove Aristotle's theory
because he thought it was illogical and irrational. So the ball was an easy way for Galileo to
prove that Aristotle was wrong.
This object was included in this exhibition because it shows that material tools, like this
sphere, are not only important to acquire knowledge but also to disprove some theories and lead
to other discoveries. Galileo’s experiment was a turning point that changed the history of science
and of gravity as these two spheres contradicted a theory that would have disrupted the course of
science generally and physics specifically. Also, it helped scientists get a better understanding of
earth’s gravity and of motion on earth which led to many important and impactful discoveries.
Object #4: Screenshot from IB Question Bank:

My third object is IB Question bank. This material tool enables me to reinforce the
knowledge I already learn from my IB classes.
IB Question bank is a platform that students and teachers can access and find previously
asked questions during the IB exams. It allows us to test our knowledge of the lessons we have
done while acquiring knowledge about the way I can answer questions efficiently and get the full
marks. The main goal of this website is to provide students with questions that will permit them
to get used to different styles, but also expand their knowledge on the lesson and not only limit
themselves to doing normal exercises.
Personally, I use it in most of my classes to test my knowledge on a lesson or to prepare
for a test. I see how I can apply this knowledge in questions that could possibly be in the test. For
example when I have a physics test, I always use it to review and I realize that certain theories
and formulas can be used in different ways to answer the questions, and this proves that this site
allows me to use the previous knowledge I have while reinforcing the way in which I can use it.
This object was included in this exhibition because it highlights the usefulness of material
tools when it comes to reinforcing previous knowledge. It is important as it allows me to acquire
new knowledge on how to answer IB style questions and how to use my lessons (previous
knowledge) to answer the questions (current reinforced knowledge) and review for my tests and
quizzes.
It also facilitates our practices since it would have been hard for us to pass the exams
without having ideas on the types of questions they might ask us. It proves that sometimes
previous knowledge is not enough but we need a tool to test and reinforce this knowledge.

Word count: 918 words

Work Cited:

Wikipedia contributors. “Kepler Space Telescope.” Wikipedia, 22 May 2021,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_space_telescope.

“No. 166: Galileo’s Experiment.” No. 166: GALILEO’S EXPERIMENT, 2018,

www.uh.edu/engines/epi166.htm#:%7E:text=Galileo%20found%20that%20the%

20heavy,abandon%20Aristotelian%20ideas%20about%20motion.