The term "science fiction" has become synonymous, in the media at least, for any discovery in science too incredible or unexpected for the nonscientist to imagine. One of the most common classroom uses of science fiction is for students to pick out flaws in science fiction movies or television shows. Unfortunately, this approach can result in students who come to distrust anything that sounds like science. Science fiction has so much more to offer in terms of good science and how science works, while at the same time addressing the basics of literacy. The books, "A Man's Place" by Eric Choi and "The Cold Equation" by Tom Godwin, show why science fiction is an ideal medium for exploring issues in science and society. In this article, the author makes a case for why science fiction should be a part of science curricula and provides an all-purpose activity to help teachers use science fiction in the classroom. (Contains 2 figures.)