Polymath

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/polymath

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the definition?An individual with expert knowledge across multiple, often unrelated, fields
2. What is the historical peak?Prominent during the Renaissance, exemplified by the 'Renaissance man' ideal
3. Why were polymaths important during the Renaissance?During the Renaissance, people liked learning many things, and famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci were good at art, science, and more, showing how learning everywhere can help society.
4. How can being a polymath help solve today's problems?Polymaths can mix ideas from science, art, and society to find new ways to fix big problems like climate change or health.

Polyhistor: An older term for a polymath, emphasizing extensive learning and scholarship.
Renaissance Humanism: An intellectual movement emphasizing human potential, classical learning, and worldly achievements.
Metacognition: Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes and learning strategies.
Interdisciplinary: Involving or drawing upon knowledge from two or more different fields or subjects.