Mr. Ahkenath Zolar
Middle School
Eighth Grade
I.S. 275
Over the past few years
there have been increased reports regarding carbon monoxide poisoning within
peoples’ homes. People seem as if they are unaware of this silent
killer because you cannot see it, you cannot smell it or taste it. The public at large is unaware of this silent
killer and the dangers of not having a carbon monoxide detector.
You have been asked by your Teacher
to do research on the effects of carbon monoxide on the environment and how
people have been affected by carbon monoxide.
You will also do research to find out the benefits of having a carbon
monoxide detector in the home. To do
this you must use the following six-step public policy approach and refer to
the resources. When you are done you
will prepare a presentation speech that you will be giving to the entire
student body to warm them of the dangers of this silent killer. You will design a poster that you will use
during the presentation and a brochure that you will hand out to every student
attending the assembly.
First you
will:
You will be working in a
group of six students. You will research
what carbon monoxide is and what are the dangers associated with it. Your group will also look at how people that
are living in an environment that has dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are
affected and how this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Then your group will research the benefits of
having a carbon monoxide detector and a policy to ensure that a carbon monoxide
detector is in the home.
Next you
will:
GATHER THE EVIDENCE
THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS
IDENTIFY THE CAUSES
FOR THE PROBLEM
EVALUATE AN EXISTING PUBLIC POLICY
Then you
will:
Once the group has gathered
their research they will meet together to design and create a brochure and a
poster that will inform the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide
poisoning and the benefits of having a carbon monoxide detector.
Finally you
will:
Meet with the teacher to
discuss the findings of their research.
They will then prepare a presentation to be given to the entire school
at a special assembly about carbon monoxide poisoning and poisoning prevention.
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec24/ch297/ch297d.jsp
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35370
http://www.aiha.org/ConsultantsConsumers/html/OOcarbon.htm
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5010.html
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/carbonmonoxide/checklist.htm
Your work will be graded based upon the following rubric:
Points |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Total |
Task Completeness |
6 Steps |
5 Steps |
4 Steps |
3 or fewer steps |
|
Development & Organization |
excellent organization &
thorough explanations |
very good organization &
explanations |
good organization &
explanations |
poor organization &
explanations |
|
Oral Presentation |
All members participate; very
clear, loud & understandable |
All members participate;
somewhat clear, loud & understandable |
Some members; somewhat clear,
loud & understanding |
some members; not clear or
understanding |
|
Grammar in brochure and poster |
writing is in your own words;
few grammatical errors |
writing is in your own words;
5-8 grammatical errors |
writing is in your own words;
9-11 grammatical errors |
writing is not in your own
words; 11> errors |
|
Research |
Gathered information from at
least 4 online sources |
Gathered information from at 3
online sources |
Gathered information from at 2
online sources |
Gathered information from at 1
online source |
|
The
present Web Quest focuses on the following Science Performance Standards: |
|
S5
Scientific Thinking |
S5d:
Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers, and critiques alternative
explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion. |
S5e:
Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the
accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations. |
|
S6
Scientific Tools and Technologies |
|
S6d:
Acquires information from multiple sources. |
|
S7:
Scientific Communication |
S7a:
Represents data and results in multiple ways. |
S7b:
Argues from evidence. |
|
This web quest also focuses on the following
English Language Arts Performance Standards: |
|
E1c:
Read and comprehend informational materials. |
|
E2a: Produce a report of information. |
|
E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual
presentation. |
|
E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to
improve its clarity and effectiveness. |
By completing this PPA Webquest on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention you have
now learned how to possibly prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. You have also made the public aware by first
informing members of your school community of the dangers and the benefits of a
carbon monoxide detector. You have also
made the public aware by distributing brochures and by putting up posters about
the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and of the benefits of a carbon monoxide
detector. As a Public Policy Analyst,
you have identified the causes of the problem, provided evidence, researched the
current policies, and created a prevention program. As a result of this project, you have learned
how to build public awareness by doing research within the classroom and by
informing the public.