Presented by: MR. Y. AWICH
Wadleigh High School
New York City,
NY
INTRODUCTION 
Millions
suffer from debilitating and deadly diseases. There are too many people dying
of possible curable diseases. Scientists have been looking for cures to ALS,
spinal cord injury paralysis, regeneration of limbs and even fatal cancers for
decades without a definitive answer. Now scientists and researchers have new
tools and can search fro cures on a molecular level never before thought
possible. One real hope is stem cells. Stem cells are cells found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms.
They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through cell division
and differentiating into a diverse range of
specialized cell types. Just think, these cells can act as a repair system for
the body, replenishing specialized cells, but also maintain the normal turnover
of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues. For those in
desperate need, stem cells hold out the only hope for life. However, there are
many obstacles, all of which are not scientific. Some view stem cell research
as a violation of ethical, religious and moral values.
As
recently as last month, stem cell has been in the news lately with religious
groups, politicians, citizens, scientists, and even presidents voicing their
opinions for or against authorization use of stem cells in scientific research.
The question of research has become a public policy dilemma. You will become a
public policy analyst in this web quest. You will be asked to resolve the
discrepancies associated with the proper use of stem cells so that there can be
legal and moral standards maintained to satisfy all the parties involved. You
will be involved in creating policies that may save the lives of millions and
alleviate spiritual anxiety. Good luck!!! You have an important task ahead.
Task: 
(click
picture to listen)
In this project, you will use the Project Critical
Public Policy Analyst steps to come find solutions to this social
problem. In your final report paper, you will define the problem, provide
evidence, identify causes, evaluate an existing policy, develop solutions, and
select the best solutions to the best uses of, and the benefits of having
handheld technology in schools
You will become a public policy analyst. In science class, you have
learned how cells as form the basic unit of life (blocks). If could come up
with a magic cell somewhere that can replace cell blocks that are rubbed off or
cracked in your body, don’t you think you would be the first to order it? Your
guess is right. You are that magic waiting to happen as a public policy
analyst, you will make policy to assuage any doubts to stem cell research.
Let us
explain the social problem of stem cell research. The risks of research with
human parts sometimes outweigh their benefits. But should we accept these risks
without letting the potential benefits of stem cell therapy to mature?
In your
arguments think about the concerns of
·
Religious
people
·
Politicians
·
Ordinary
citizens
·
You and
the scientists
·
The
president
·
Funding
RESEARCH PAPER: 
Each
group will create a FIVE Page minimum research paper that includes all six steps of the Public
Policy Analyst. You will find solutions for the dilemma and create a definitive
public policy can solve the social problem of deadly disease cures. Each paper
will be properly annotated using internet resources and outside text material
where necessary. Each group will submit the six worksheets from the PPA that
were used as organizational material for your paper.
ORAL
REPORT: 
Each
group will make an oral report summarizing the findings. This report will be a
minimum of five
minutes and
include all the PPA steps. You may use pictures, charts graphs and
illustrations to prove you public policy conclusions.
Process: 
1. The class
will be put in groups of 5. The group will be divide by responsibilities.. Each
group will be responsible for completing the six PPA worksheets linked below.
These worksheets will be used to complete eth two tasks.
2. Answers to
the PPA step # 1 worksheet (DEFINE THE
PROBLEM) as pertains to the ban the dilemma of stem cell research
3. Answer to
the PPA step # 2 (GATHER THE
EVIDENCE).
4. Answer to
the PPA step # 3 Finding the Causes for the problem
5. Read
existing polices and answer WORKSHEET # 4,
analyzing existing public
Policies
6. With facts
from your previous worksheets and ideas, develop solutions and complete WORKSHEET # 5
7. Select the
best solutions (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness). Use WORKSHEET # 6 as
a guide to this task.
Below are link accesses
Step1: Define the Problem
Step2: Gathering Evidence
of the Problem
Step3: Identifying the
Causes of the Problem
Step4: Evaluating
Existing Public Policies
Step5: Developing Public
Policy Solutions
Step 6: Selecting the Best
Public Policy Solution
Both written
and oral reports must contain all six steps of the PPA
ROLE
DIFFERENTIATION
Each
member of the group will be given a specific responsibility as outlined:
RESEARCHER-This student will use the internet
resources and complete all six worksheets that will be used in both products.
He/she will coordinate the writing of the paper and presentation of the oral
report by instructing the writer and presenter as to critical information that
must be presented in both tasks.
WRITER-EDITOR-This student will use the worksheets
and write the five page minimum paper with input from all members of the group.
He/she will also help coordinate the information with the oral presenter.
ORAL PRESENTER- This student will present the
five minute minimum oral presentation using information gained from the writer
and researcher. He/she will also be responsible for creating graphs, charts and
illustrations for the oral presentation after collaboration with the other
group members.
COORDINATOR-This student
will coordinate birth tasks. He/she will act as editor, time keeper, task
manager, internet research assistant and art coordinator. It will be this
student’s role to be overall supervisor and fill in for gaps in the process as
they occur.
All students must work cooperatively if the project is to be
successful!!!
RESORUCES 
GENERAL
RESORUCES:
SPECIFIC
RESOURCES
Public Policy and
Other Information NIH
PROS & CONS 1 PROS & CONS
2CONCLUSIONS Evaluation:
PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE I. ORAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION CATEGORY 4 EXCELLENT 3 VERY GOOD 2 SATISFACTORY 1 UNSATISFACTORY CONTENT Shows
a full understanding of the topic. USES ALL STEPS OF AHPPA Shows
a good understanding of the topic. USES three OF THE four STEPS OF THE PPA Shows
a good understanding of parts of the topic. USES ALL STEPS OF THE AHPPA WITH
SOME ERRORS Does
not seem to understand the topic very well. INCORRECTLY USES OR FAILS TO USE
AHPPA STEPS GROUP PARTICIPATION Almost
always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the
group. Tries to keep people working well together. Usually
listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group.
Does not cause "waves" in the group. Often
listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but
sometimes is not a good team member. Rarely
listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group.
Often is not a good team member. PREPAREDNESS Student
is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. Student
seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. The
student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Student
does not seem at all prepared to present. COMPLETE SENTENCES Always
(99-100% of time) speaks in complete sentences. Mostly
(80-98%) speaks in complete sentences. Sometimes
(70-80%) speaks in complete sentences. Rarely
speaks in complete sentences. Vocabulary Uses
vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Extends audience vocabulary by
defining words that might be new to most of the audience. Uses
vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Includes 1-2 words that might be new
to most of the audience, but does not define them. Uses
vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Does not include any vocabulary that
might be new to the audience. Uses
several (5 or more) words or phrases that are not understood by the audience.
II: WRITTEN REPORT RUBRIC CATEGORY 4 EXCELLENT 3 VERY GOOD 2 SATISFACTORY 1 UNSAT. Quality of Information Information
clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details
and/or examples. Information
clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or
examples. Information
clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. Information
has little or nothing to do with the main topic. Quality of Information Information
clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details
and/or examples. All 4 steps of the AH PPA are used in the discussion Information
clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or
examples. Three of the 4 AH PPA steps are used in the discussion Information
clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. Two
of the 4 AHPPA steps are used in the discussion Information
has little or nothing to do with the main topic. Does not use AHPPA Sources All
sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired
format. All
sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are
not in the desired format. All
sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are
not in the desired format. Some
sources are not accurately documented. APPEARANCE All
pages of the report are carefully constructed and neatly arranged with no error Most
of the pages are carefully constructed and neatly arranged but a few errors
exist Half
the pages are poorly constructed and appearance is somewhat distorted All
pages are poorly constructed and the appearance of the report is untidy and
sloppy Conclusion: In completing this web quest you should have learned
that science and ethics at times, conflict. In this case, stem cell research
conflicted with long held religious values. Desperately needed is a compromise
between the two. Lies are at stake. This controversy has been viewed throughout
history dating back to Galileo’s discoveries ion the 16th century.
New science is making enormous and seemingly meteoric strides. Some think that
technology can find the cures for most human diseases in our lifetime. In order
to accomplish this task. Compromises must be made between ethical and religious
beliefs. That was your job in this web quest. Let’s hope you were up to the
task You have also experienced the role of the pubic
policy analyst in our democratic society. This political scientist finds policy
solutions to complex problems. It is a critical role that requires research,
intelligence and sensitivity. That is what you have shown in this web quest.
Thanks for you participation. New York 
Social Studies
Standard 4: Economics
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of how the United States and other societies develop economic systems and associated institutions to allocate scarce resources, how major decision-making units function in the United States and other national economies, and how an economy solves the scarcity problem through market and nonmarket mechanisms.
Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to
demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments;
the governmental system of the
New York
STANDARD 1
As listeners and readers, students will
collect data, facts, and ideas discover relationships, concepts, and
generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and
electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and
written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information
STANDARD 2
Students will read and listen to oral,
written and electronically produced texts and performances, relate texts and
performances to their own lives, and develop an understanding of the diverse
social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances
represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language
for self-expression and artistic creation.
STANDARD 4
Students will use
oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide
variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social
communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their
views.