Mr. Ahkenath Zolar

Henry Highland Garnett

Middle School

Eighth Grade

I.S. 275

 

A Poison Prevention Program:

 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

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.

 

 

TASK:

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.

 

 

PROCESS:

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:

DEFINE THE SOCIAL PROBLEM

                   GATHER THE EVIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS

                   IDENTIFY THE CAUSES FOR THE PROBLEM

                                               

                    EVALUATE AN EXISTING PUBLIC POLICY

      

                    DEVELOP YOUR OWN SOLATIONS

                   

                    SELECT THE BEST SOLUTION

 

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.

 

 

RESOURCES

 

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

 

 

EVALUATION:

 

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

 

 

 

STANDARDS

 

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.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

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.