Dana Hamilton

Webquest 2

Using Public Policies in Science

Introduction:

There are many topics in Biology whose themes or concepts are affected by public policy. Some of these themes include steroids usage, surrogate parenting, and abortion, just to name a few. Students will use this WebQuest to find policies on different topics relating to biology. Students will use the PPA format to solve each problem in a PowerPoint format

Task:

You are an investigator with the National Foundation of Science. You have been asked to deal with a specific problem in the area of Biology. You have several tasks to complete in order to be ready to present for the annual meeting of the Biology Citizens Task Force. The tasks are:

· Select a problem from our Biology curriculum

· After conferring with the teacher, you will work individually on a problem using the PPA format from the Project TIPS website

· You will meet once a week at a conferring session with the teacher to make sure all of the steps have been sufficiently explained

· You will present your research and public policy in a PowerPoint presentation

Process

1. Students will discuss the PPA format we have used throughout the year

2. Students will break into groups and discuss different problems in Biology that may require a new public policy

3. Students will use a graphic organizers to begin to research the information

4. Students will begin to work individually on each problem

5. Students will use the resource section of this Webquest to support their research efforts

6. Students will confer with the teacher to make sure they are progressing on their product

7. Students will use PowerPoint to present their findings

Resources:

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal

www.sc2000.net/

www.Regentsprep.com

www.worldbookonline.com

http://medlineplus.adam.com

www.refdesk.com

www.Mr.Biology.com

Evaluation

Rubric- Evaluating students’ performance

		Satisfactory	Exemplary
Concepts	Concepts are used inaccurately.	Some Concepts are used inaccurately.	Concepts are used accurately.
Details	Supporting details do not explain the concepts.	Some details do not explain the concepts.	Details support the concepts.
Format	No format followed.	A general format followed.	Format is followed perfectly.
Accuracy	Serious grammatical errors.	Few serious spelling mistakes.	Grammatically perfect.

Standards: Improve writing and communication skills.

Understand how to obtain, synthesize, analyze,

and use information.

Think critically, creatively and solve

Problems.

Conclusion: At the end of this process students will be able to research different topics on the Internet, create a PowerPoint presentation, have knowledge of how to be a good citizen in today’s democratic society and know the standards they are expected to accomplish.