I
Hate Needles!
“Do I really need to
get shots before I can attend school?”
A problem in Donovan Middle
School and other places in the world.
Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Standards
A
WebQuest for Biology 8
By Ms. Pamela Allen
Donovan
Middle School Utica, NY 13502
Since the 1700’s when Edward Jenner 
discovered that milkmaids didn’t get smallpox, science has been
able to progressively win battles in the war on infectious disease and
effectively change the world. Your class is going
to use the Public Policy Analyst to investigate the use of vaccines in public
health and whether the current policy is justified or whether the risk of side
effects should allow some people to be exempted.
TASK:
The year is 2020 and there has been a recent outcry from
the public concerning health risks associated with immunizations required to attend
public schools. You are a new
employee of Oneida County Health Department, and the Director of Patient
Education has asked you to develop an informational piece that will inform the
public about the pros and cons of 
ONE specific vaccine
that is now required for entrance into New York State schools. You may present
a poster, a brochure, photo essay or a slideshow to show your findings.
PROCESS/RESOURCES:
1. You will use the 6 steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) to help you solve your problem. Use the Resources below to help you
research your topic and complete the 6 worksheets of the PPA.
2. After you have done your research, develop a Patient Education
publication that will teach the public about the benefits and risks of at least
1 vaccine that is currently required in order for students to attend school.
(Helpful Tip
: Read and print the evaluation before you do your publication)
3. You will present your project to the class in an oral
presentation.
1.
Identifying the Problem, and Worksheet #1
2.
Gathering Evidence, and Worksheet # 2
3.
Identify Causes of the problem, and Worksheet # 3
4.
Evaluate the Policy, and Worksheet #4
5.
Develop a Solution to the Problem, and Worksheet #5
6.
Selecting the Best Solution, and Worksheet #6
12 deadly diseases
cured in the 20th century
10 vaccines
that changed the world
Forbes graphic
shows how vaccines have changed our world
Vaccines required in NYS in order to
attend school
CDC - side
effects of Vaccines
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ltgproctor1/pallenrubric.doc
Helpful
Tip
:
Print a copy of the rubric to use as a checklist, before you do your project.
Congratulations! By this point you
have successfully researched the history and details of a specific infectious
disease and the steps way we use science and technology to combat its spread in
public health. You have also determined what the risks are and if they are
worth the benefit of getting that vaccine. In addition you related your
research to existing and future public policy in the field of medical research 
and immunizations.
STANDARDS:
Common Core
Writing Standards for Literacy in Science etc:
· Text types and
purposes 1a. 1b. 1c. 1d. 1e. 2 b. 2d.
· Production and
distribution of writing 6. Use technology…
· Research to
build and present knowledge 7,8,9.
Common
Core Reading Standards for Literacy in Science etc.
· Key Ideas and
Details 1,2
· Craft and
Structure 7,8
MST 2-
Information Systems 1.1
MST 4- LE 1.2j
MST 6-
Interconnectedness 6.1
MST 7-
Interdisciplinary Problem Solving 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Credits:
Picture 1 -Smallpox 2002
- Silent Weapon
This article was published on guardian.co.uk,
6 February 2002.
Picture 2- http://stephenornes.com/?p=308 what ever happened to smallpox?