To “B” or not to “B”

The Prevalence of Spina Bifida in the  Hispanic Community

                                   

WebQuest by:

Ms. Karen Y. Armstrong

6th Grade

Environmental Science

 

http://fetalsurgery.chop.edu/images/pre_post_sb.gif

 

Introduction                                           

Imagine you and your family are visiting a relative in the hospital who has recently given birth to an adorable baby.  Unfortunately, when you enter her hospital room she is crying and distressed and she explains that the doctors are conducting “special tests” on the baby. It seems that her beautiful baby was born with a birth defect “Spina bifida” which is prevalent within the Hispanic community.  How could this happen?  The mother and your family are healthy responsible people!  What is “Spina bifida” and how can it be prevented? Why is this disease so prevalent in the Hispanic community?

 

Nationally Hispanic women are the largest at-risk group for the neural tube birth defect “spina bifida”.   A leading contributing factor for this defect is a lack of folic acid in their diet. This birth defect is preventable by taking a B-Complex vitamin (which is folic acid) before becoming pregnant.   Just eating a well-balanced diet with multi-vitamin supplements, either through vitamins or food, can prevent this.  The importance of having a well balanced diet which includes multi-vitamins is necessary for everyone and can not be over emphasized.

 

 In 1992, the United States Public Health Service mandated that every woman capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 mcg of folic acid daily to prevent up to 70 % of “spina bifida” and neural tube defects (CDC). Also, in 1998 folic acid was added to a mandatory list for enriched cereal and grain products. There is a list of these cereals on the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ncbdd/foicacid/cereal.htm. The Center for Disease Control’s Spanish language Folic Acid Campaign (SFACES) is in its 4th year.  This campaign uses Spanish-language media as well as local “promotoras, or lay health outreach workers to  educate and create an awareness within the Hispanic community www.cdc.gov .

 

 

TASK:

You will work in groups of four to thoroughly research the topic of spina bifida (see resources below.) Within each group there will be:

·        recorder/editor of shared researched information

·        timekeeper to keep the group on track with their designated tasks,

·        reporter will share the groups’ data with the class or teacher

·        runner will be responsible for obtaining  materials essential to the completion of the PSA

·        public relations manager will guide the group in the best methods to create their campaign ( this role can be shared by the team)

 

You will also follow the six steps of the public policy analyst in the Process section below.

You will create and conduct a survey to Hispanic women in your family or a Hispanic female family friend.  You will design the survey using Zoomerang (http://info.zoomerang.com).  After you have gathered your survey information, you will share the information you have collected with other members in your group.

 

 

PROCESS:

You will also follow the six steps of the public policy analyst in the section below.

1.                Identify the Problem              worksheet 1

2.                Gather the EVidence             worksheet 2

3.                Determine the Causes          worksheet 3

4.                Evaluate the Policy                worksheet 4

5.                Comparative ANalysis           worksheet 5

 

You will create and give a survey to Hispanic women in your family or a Hispanic female family friend.  You will design the survey using Zoomerang (http://info.zoomerang.com). After you have gathered your survey information, you have collected you will share that information with the other members in your group.

 

Finally, after you have researched the topic and have completed all of the worksheets for the PSA you will create a Public Service Announcement about the importance of folic acid and multi vitamins in the diet for Hispanic women since these are the women impacted the most by spina bifida.   Remember that the service announcement will be limited to one-minute so make every word count!   You will work with your science and technology teachers to fully develop this.

 

 

RESOURCES:

http://www.sbaa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index

http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/~rowley/sb-kids/index.htmlx

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs12txt.htm

http://www.asbha.org.

http://www.coping.org/copingbook/others.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid

http://www.bethanykids.org/images/spinabifida.html’

 

 

EVALUATION:

 

Criteria

Excellent

3

Good

2

Poor

1

Pts

 

GatheringInformation:

PPA

Problem is identified and researched thoroughly.  All steps of the PPA are addressed and the handouts are complete.    

Problem is identified and researched.

All six steps of the PPA are addressed.  Most worksheets are completed correctly. 

Problem is identified and partially researched.  Some of the worksheets are incomplete.

 

 

 

Group

Dynamics

 

Students work cooperatively in groups each contributing to the final products.  Students remain on task completing work in a timely manner.

Students work cooperatively in groups.  Students remain on task most of the time, however they do need several reminders to remain on task. 

Group dynamics are poor.  Students do not work cooperatively and/or they do not all contribute to the final product.

 

 

 

Survey

All of the required topics are addressed thoroughly in the survey.  Content is accurate and ideas are supported well by research. 

All of the required topics are addressed in the survey, however, some topics could have been researched more thoroughly.  Content is accurate.

All of the topics are not addressed in the survey.

More than two topics are not covered in enough detail.

Content is inaccurate.

 

 

 

Public Service Announcement

Each person participates in the presentation.  Students speak clearly and address the question completely.

Each person participates, however the presentation is unclear at times.  The question is answered completely.

One or two people present.

The flow of the presentation is unclear.

Questions are not answered completely.

 

 

Total Possible Points: 12                                 Total Points Earned:____

 

1. 10 – 12 = A              3. 7-9 =C             5. 3 -0=F            

2. 11 -- 7   = B              4. 4-6=D

                                       

Standards:

English Language Arts:

E1C: Read and comprehend informational materials

E2C: Read and comprehend informational materials

E3B: Participate in group meetings

 

Science:

S2a: Structure and function in living systems.

S5c: Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop description

S5f: Works individually and in team to collect and share information

 

 

Conclusion:

From this WebQuest you have learned about spina bifida and how to prevent it.  You are able to analyze resources provided for you using the internet as your main source of information.  You are also able to create and conduct a survey. In addition, you have followed the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst and have created new policies that contribute to the health and well being of the general public.  You have also produced a public service announcement.