Teaching
Interdisciplinary Problem Solving (TIPS)
Through
Educational Technology
Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.
Students should be able to describe the interrelationships of humans with the living and nonliving environment.
We will be researching the issue of human activities and its impact on the environment.
We often forget that we are part of the Earth’s ecosystems. Many technological advances and population growth are responsible for inadvertently changing the ecosystems, causing pollution and affecting every living thing including us.
This research will deal with heavy metal (element) poisoning specifically lead. It is well known that lead can cause many health disorders such as learning deficit and mental retardation in children.
In the news last year we heard many parents complaining about exposure to lead in schools and protesting to stop the construction of a new school in an area where they believed a gas station existed many years ago. Laws that prevent this type of contamination exist. Then, why do we still have this problem today? Do you believe that parents should worry and stop the construction of a new school?
Your task will be to work individually or in a group and review this issue. To be successful in this task you will have to write a well-written position paper analyzing the government public policy on lead, predicting better ways to prevent this type of intoxication and state your opinion on the veracity on the parents concern.
Questions to consider about the role of the government on lead poisoning and for the development of your research:
The following sites will help you to conduct your research:
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/ppa.html
For additional educational resources go to:
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/related.html
For tutorials for getting help using computer technology:
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/tutorials.html
For information on toxic substances and their effects go to:
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/aol/lead/
http://www.library.thinkquest.org
http://www.Maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/resres.html
a. Facilitator- responsible for setting up the team’s space
b. Secretary- responsible for maintaining all team paper work including
attendance.
c. Team leader- coordinates the day’s work with the teacher and team members.
d. Alternate team leader- substitutes for any of the above in case of absence.
search to find the answers to the public policy questions.
5. Individual team members should bookmark as favorite any web sites that are
important to the group.
6. All team members will take an active role in this Quest and each student will
receive a team grade as well as an individual
grade.
Evaluation
Each student is responsible for writing a 400 to 500 words essay taking a position regarding the government role in the prevention of lead poisoning in children. The due date for this part of the evaluation is May 30th.
Each team will present their team position to the entire class. The class will have the opportunity to ask questions to the team presenting.
Your grade will be based on the following:
1. Team participation - 20%
2. Essay - 40%
3. Team presentation - 30%
4. Attendance - 10%