Pat Salvatorelli
psalvatorelli@cardinalspellman.org
INTRODUCTION
Imagine a member of your family suffers
from a debilitating medical condition such as leukemia. During chemotherapy,
toxins destroy all surrounding cells, cancerous and non-cancerous. What if a type of cell existed that could
replace those normal cells that were destroyed? Well, here is the good news:
there is. Stem cells are found in the
human body and can differentiate into any specialized cell based on the
specific needs of individuals. Unfortunately, the use of stem cells is still a
very controversial issue today because the majority of these stem cells come
from human embryos. The benefits of stem cell research and treatment are not
being examined closely enough by government officials. If the idea of using
stem cells became more widely accepted, then countless numbers of lives would
not only be improved, but saved. Today, you will offer you expertise in the advancement
of stem cell treatment and research.
TASK
Your city congressman, Mr. Feeney, has
decided to hear student opinions on stem cell research. More importantly, he
has asked the students involved to discuss and explain, through a PowerPoint
presentation, the types of stem cell treatment that can be used to improve
quality of life. If your arguments and research are persuasive enough, then he
will add the use of stem cells to his agenda during his next congressional
meeting. Should the use of stem cells ever gain congressional approval, then
millions of people would have you and your classmates to thank.
PROCESS/RESOURCES
In order to complete this task, you will:
1)
Assemble a group of 4 students
2)
Create a PowerPoint
presentation of 12 slides using the PPA to explain one specific type of stem cell treatment and the controversy
behind it
3)
Share your knowledge of the
treatment you chose with your classmates during a 5 minute oral presentation
4)
Address six steps of the PPA
format by completing a worksheet for each step
The steps of the PPA are as follows:
Step 1: Define the Social Problem
Step 2: Gather Evidence of the Problem
Step 3: Identify Causes of the Problem
Step 4: Evaluate Existing Public Policies
Step 5: Develop Public Policy Solutions
Step 6: Select the Best Public Policy Solution
Use the following links as resources to
help guide you through this assignment:
Each student will take on one of the
following “jobs” throughout the project:
Head Researcher: He or she will be responsible for conducting the main research
behind the different types of stem cell research and the controversies behind
each. He or she will also advise the rest of the group on the use of the
research throughout the presentation.
PPA Specialist: He or she will advise the rest of the group on the appropriate
use of each step of the PPA by utilizing the attached resources and
incorporating the PPA when necessary.
Manager: He or she will be responsible for completing PPA worksheets and
supervising the progress of the entire group.
Editor: He or she will look over both oral and PowerPoint presentations
and check carefully for misspelling, incorrect grammar, etc.
EACH member of the group will be
responsible for contributing 3 slides to the overall PowerPoint presentation as
well as at least ONE MINUTE
to the overall oral presentation.
EVALUATION
Each student will be evaluated on both the
oral and PowerPoint presentations.
1.
Oral Presentation Rubric
|
Category |
Excellent (4) |
Good (3) |
Satisfactory (2) |
Unsatisfactory (1) |
|
Presentation Skills |
Student makes eye contact with audience; well prepared. |
Student acknowledges audience at times; shows some preparedness. |
Student makes some eye contact with audience; relies heavily on
index cards; minimum rehearsal. |
Student does not make eye contact; demonstrates no preparedness. |
|
Group Participation |
Every member of the group speaks for equal amounts of time. |
Every member of the group speaks; time not split evenly. |
Most members of the group speak; time not split evenly. |
Only one member of the group speaks; other members do not
participate. |
|
Key Vocabulary Words |
Incorporates all necessary vocabulary associated with issue;
explains any new words to audience. |
Incorporates some vocabulary words; explains any new words to
audience. |
Incorporates some vocabulary words; does not explain new words
to audience. |
Does not incorporate vocabulary words. |
|
Content |
All information related to topic; all steps of PPA incorporated
successfully. |
Most information related to topic; most steps of PPA
incorporated successfully. |
Some information related to topic; some steps of PPA
incorporated successfully. |
Most information not related to topic; no steps of PPA
incorporated successfully. |
2) PowerPoint
Presentation Rubric
|
Category |
Excellent (4) |
Good (3) |
Satisfactory (2) |
Unsatisfactory (1) |
|
Organization |
Slides are easily legible; arranged in a sensible manner. |
Slides are easily legible; arrangement of some slides not
cohesive. |
Some slides not clearly legible; arrangement of slides not
cohesive. |
Slides not clearly legible; no clear arrangement of slides. |
|
Sources |
Sources cited correctly; all sources are reliable. |
Sources cited with few errors; sources are reliable. |
Sources cited with many errors; some sources are unreliable. |
Sources cited incorrectly; all sources unreliable. |
|
Information |
All slides relate to topic; clear attempt
to solve the issue. |
Most slides relate to topic; some attempt
to solve the issue. |
Most slides relate to topic; vague
attempt to solve the issue. |
Few slides relate to topic; no attempt to
solve the issue. |
|
PPA Incorporation |
All six steps of the PPA addressed
successfully. |
Five of the six steps of the PPA
addressed successfully. |
Four of the six steps of the PPA
addressed successfully. |
Three or fewer steps of the PPA addressed
successfully. |
Breakdown of Points
36 – 29 = A
28 -22 = B
21 – 15 = C
14 – 8 = D
7 – 0 = F
CONCLUSION
Successful completion of this project
should help you inform others about the controversy associated with stem cell
research. It should also provide you with enough information and knowledge to
change the minds of those who are opposed to stem cell research. Increasing
awareness of the effectiveness of stem cell research is necessary if we hope to
expand its use to treat countless numbers of disorders and diseases.
Congratulations on your hard work and increasing your knowledge of the world of
science.
LIVING ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS
1.1c Science provides knowledge, but values are also essential to
making effective and ethical decisions about the application of scientific
knowledge.
1.2a Inquiry involves asking questions and locating, interpreting,
and processing information from a variety of sources.
1.2b Inquiry involves making judgments about the reliability of
the source and relevance of information.
1.2e The organs and systems of the body
help to provide all the cells with their basic needs. The cells of the body are
of different kinds and are grouped in ways that enhance how they function
together.
1.2f Cells have particular structures that perform specific jobs.
These structures perform the actual work of the cell. Just as systems are
coordinated and work together, cell parts must also be coordinated and work
together.
2.1k The many body cells in an individual
can be very different from one another, even though they are all descended from
a single cell and thus have essentially identical genetic instructions. This is
because different parts of these instructions are used in different types of
cells, and are influenced by the cell’s environment and past history.
5.2j Biological research generates knowledge used to design ways
of diagnosing, preventing, treating, controlling, or curing diseases of plants
and animals.
English Language Arts Standards
Standard 2: Language for Literary Response and Expression
Students will read and listen to oral,
written, and electronically produced texts and performances from American and
world literature; 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 that follows the accepted conventions of the English
language for self-expression and artistic creation.
Mathematics, Science and
Technology Standards
Standard 5: Technology
Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct,
use and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.
