There is a Lack of Awareness of The
Effects of Modern Agriculture on Nutrition.
(Encouraging The Global Growth of
Natural And Organic Farming For Healthy Bodies.)
WEBQUEST
TIPS: Teaching Interdisciplinary Problem
Solving
LaVerne R. Williams, Chemistry and Environmental Science Teacher
Williams241@juno.com
INTRODUCTION
Many people are
suffering because they have no knowledge of the effects of food additives or
how their food is grown. Kidney disease, arthritis, malaise, obesity and even
some cancers can be traced back to chemicals that have been added to the soil
or to the food during processing. (A wax like covering is put on apples,
oranges and many other fruits and vegetables.)
Healthy foods are
foods that are either organically grown, or naturally grown without the use of
synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, irradiation,
artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Natural Farmers and some organic farmer may
use insects, and crop rotation to control pests or manure and compost for
fertilizers. The land is nurtured by the farmers because they do not use
synthetic pesticides; in fact they build the soil by the way they farm.
Organic food is
healthier and those who consume organic produce regularly are healthier also,
according to a recent study in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary
Medicine. Organically grown produce was higher in magnesium, Vitamin C, and
iron, and lower in potentially harmful nitrates, which result from nitrogen
fertilizers.
Many countries are
banning American genetically engineered products, including corn, because of
the fear of the unknown side effects of these products. These large
multinational corporations, like General Mills, Kellogg’s, Heinz, also use
chemicals in food production. Many scientists and health enthusiasts are
concerned about the chemical additives.
YOUR TASK:
Your team is planning
to compete for a spot on the Olympics. Last year your coach encouraged healthy
eating habits. During tryouts your team members marveled at the endurance, and
physical shape of competitors from other less prosperous countries. You want to
be certain that your team will get all of the nutrients they should from the
foods they are eating without chemical food additives. Your task is to research different farming
and production processes, and locate companies and outlets where the healthiest
foods are sold. Then you and your team mates must communicate this information
to your families and community.
THE PROCESS:
Using The ‘Public Policy Analyst’ your team will;
·
Complete
a research project which compares and contrasts modern farming methods with
natural farming methods and organic farming methods. Define, explain and speak
of countries who are trying to encourage
healthy farming. Also compare food processing in these areas. Use graphs,
clipart and any other visuals, (at least 4).
·
Locate
farms and stores in your area that produce and sell the most healthy grown
foods.
·
Plan how
you will communicate your findings to the community.
·
Think of a way your elected official can help
in the effort to have the healthiest foods available in your area.
a.
Your team
will present your finding on 81/2 by 11 loose leaf paper, neatly written, using
the six steps of the PPA, which contain the TIPS questions you must answer as
you research.
www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppae/ppae2.html
b.
You will
each be responsible for developing a summary PowerPoint presentation on a
portion of your research, which can be used to inform your community. (Maximum
12 slides)
RESOURCES:
Your group will begin with your
personal Analyst, located at: www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppae/ppae2.html Here you will be shown how to research and
learn Interdisciplinary Problem Solving. Worksheets are available that contain the
questions at this site also.
Much of you research
is listed as part of the web quest below, however you will have to search the
Internet for additional information. Use Google.com or any other search engine.
Remember to note where you got information. Give credit for someone else’s
writing.
www.nutrition-guide.net/unhealthy_food.html
www.organicconsumers.org/organic/organic-nutrition.cfm
www.organicconsumers.org/sos/alert052504.cfm
www.rodaleinstitute.org/international/japan/home.html
www.rodaleinstitute.org/international/senegal/home.html
EVALUATION
|
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Content |
Writing shows in-depth analysis of the comparison of modern farming methods with natural and organic farming methods and offers insightful proposals according to the Public Policy Analysis methodology. |
Writing shows basic understanding and analysis of the comparison of modern farming methods with natural and organic farming methods and offers adequate solutions. It briefly addresses each of the steps of the PPA. |
Writing shows summarization of the research information. It may contain vague references to the steps of Public Policy Analysis. |
|
Structure
and Organization |
Writing is generally well organized according to definite plans. Topics or ideas generally clear. Typically clear beginnings and ends. Most transitions smooth and logical. Details generally
varied and vivid. |
Controlling topics, ideas, or overall plans always present but do not always focus the writing. Endings may sometimes be awkward or abrupt. Transitions are
typically logical but may on occasion lack depth and/or direct relevance. |
Topics or overall plans may not be clearly present. Possible digressions or elaborations confusing to reader. Beginnings and endings may be awkward or abrupt. Key elements may be unevenly developed or omitted. Details used
inconsistently. |
|
Style |
Sound reasoning. Clear position. Opinions thoughtfully supported. Credible evidence. Avoids exaggeration. Compelling arguments. Fact/opinion distinguished. Conclusions well-grounded. |
Few surprises. Predictable, well-worn arguments. Credible but limited support. Acceptable, knowledge as evidence. Fact/opinion
sometimes overlap. |
Minimal content. Unsupported statements. Weak, questionable evidence. Position
weak/unclear/shifting. Overly reliant on repetition and exaggeration. |
RUBRICS:
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
|
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Content |
The
content is written clearly and concisely with a logical progression of ideas
and supporting information. The
project includes motivating questions and advanced organizers that provide
the audience with sense of the project’s main idea. Information
is accurate, current and comes mainly from primary sources. |
The
content is vague in conveying a point of view and does not create a strong
sense of purpose. Includes
some persuasive information with few facts. Some
of the information may not seem to fit. Primary
source use is not always clear. |
The
content lacks a clear point of view and logical sequence of information. Includes
little persuasive information and only one or two facts about the topic. Information
is incomplete, out of date and/or incorrect. Sequencing
of ideas is unclear. |
|
Text/Graphics Layout |
The
fonts are easy-to-read and point size varies appropriately for headings and
text. The
graphics, sound and/or animation assist in presenting an overall theme and
make visual connections that enhance understanding of concept, ideas and
relationships. |
Sometimes
the fonts are easy-to-read, but in a few places the use of fonts,
italics, bold, long paragraphs, color or busy background detracts and does
not enhance readability. Some of the graphics, sounds, and/or animations seem unrelated to the topic/theme and do not enhance the overall concepts. |
The
text is extremely difficult to read with long blocks of text and small
point size of fonts, inappropriate contrasting colors, poor use of headings,
subheadings, indentations, or bold formatting. The graphics, sounds, and/or animations are unrelated to the content |
CONCLUSION
This web quest should have taught you to
analyze different farming and food production methods. Through your research,
you were made aware of the social health problem of illness, including malaise,
from eating poorly grown and processed foods by using Interdisciplinary Problem Solving techniques
with the help of your Public Policy Analyst. With this research you learned how
to select a public policy that best solved this existing social problem. You also learned to communicate important
information to your community. Based on
your research and efforts to create an effective public policy, you created a
research paper, a PowerPoint presentation, and a plan to “get the word out.”
With this information you can eat healthy. Good luck on your tryouts for the
Olympics!
In your next web quest you will explore
the possibilities of growing your own foods.
This web quest has enabled students to
meet standards one, three, and four of the
1. Students will read and write for
information and understanding
2. Students will read and write for
literary response and expression
3. Students will read and write for
critical analysis and evaluation
4. Students will speak and listen for
social interaction