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Are you a scientist? Do you believe that all scientists work in a lab, are male, wear glasses and a lab coat, and are surrounded by millions of dollars of equipment? Probably not. These are not the conditions in which Charles Best and Frederick Banting were working when they discovered insulin. So what is common to all scientific inquiry? Scientists always follow a scientific method, have a well-formulated hypothesis, and work through their experiment in a linear fashion. If they’re lucky, there is also a “eureka” moment when they are done.

Present the following situation to students:
The local newspaper has seconded your research team to write a newspaper article that illustrates how the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best is an example of the true nature of scientific discovery and inquiry. Some questions that you may use to guide you in your research are:

Under what conditions did Banting and Best work?

Were Banting and Best research scientists?

What type of financial support did Banting and Best receive for their work?

Were their results welcomed, unquestioned, by the scientific community?

Did people believe and trust their results?

Each group will produce a newspaper article that addresses how the discovery of insulin is an example of the true nature of scientific inquiry and discovery.

Students will present their newspaper article to the class, who will represent the general public. Students should be prepared to ask and answer questions.

Assessment Tip
Assess students on the accuracy of the information presented in their article and for the appropriateness of how they compare the nature of scientific inquiry as it is often portrayed with how it actually occurred in the Banting/Best story.