INTRODUCTION

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 19^th and 20^th century American cities grew rapidly. This growth in industry brought with it many problems for our urban areas. The increase in pollution, especially air pollution, has been linked to an increase in various illnesses. It is interesting to note that the frequency of asthma increased during this time and has continued to increase disproportionately in the Bronx. What has been done about this? Has the government been responsive to the health and environmental needs of the people? Is the science community addressing these issues? This is a burning issue for the people living in the affected communities.

TASK

You have been appointed the new Chief Attending Physician (Head Doctor) of Bronx Lebanon Hospital’s Emergency Room. There has been an epidemic of asthma. Your first assignment as the new head doctor is to investigate why there are so many cases of asthma being admitted into your ER.

As part of your plan to deal with this problem, you have decided to ask the president of your hospital if you can develop a research team to study this problem of increased asthma in this section of the Bronx. For this task you will work in teams of two. You and your partner will research the websites given to you. Your team would be made up of doctors from the area hospitals. This task is a challenge but its one that you and other concerned doctors are willing to tackle for the benefit of the community you work in .You want to help! Next you must research what has already been discovered and done about asthma in the Bronx. Finally you must propose a solution to help alleviate this serious health problem. The teams will meet collectively and propose the best solution to the problem. Each team will present their findings to the class. You will be responsible for doing a 2-3 page type-written paper on your findings.

PROCESS

You will team up with another student and work collaboratively.

You will use the computer and Internet to assist you.

You will use Public Policy Analyst research steps for the following:

Upon completion of the research you will share your findings with the class by:

· presenting an oral report.

· completing a 3-4 page type written report,

· a letter or e-mail written to some of your local officials such as Jose Serrano (Congressman), Hillary Clinton (U.S. senator) or Schumer (U.S. senator) and your teacher, discussing your findings.

RESOURCES

Websites

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/html

http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2000/05/shell.htm

http://www.chronicillnet.org/online/bronx.html

http://www.newswise.com/articles/2001/6/BRONX.NYM.html

http://www.crp.cornell.edu/projects/southbronx/gis/schools.html

http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/children/08/30/asthma.newsstand/

Fact sheets on Asthma

Encyclopedias

Encarta

Evaluation:

Have you followed directions?
Have you cooperated with your partner?
Have you used the required resources?
Have you completed your report?

Have you presented your report to the class?

Have you written a letter or e-mailed a local councilman, congressman, or senator?

YOU WILL BE GRADED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

BEST POSSIBLE SCORE=100%

20 points for each category

5 points for each section of each category

	5 points	5 points	5 points	5 points	5 points
Following Directions	I did not listen to the directions, so I did not know what to do.	I did not follow the directions. I was frequently off task.	I followed the directions but I had to be reminded to stay on task.	I followed the directions and stayed on task while I was working on my project.	I followed all the directions and I helped other students who didn't know what to do.
Cooperation with partner	We played around instead of working on our project.	We could not agree on what we should be doing, so we wasted time.	We were able to work together to complete our report.	We worked together but did not share the responsibility of presenting.	We worked, together and shared the responsibility of presenting.
Use of resources	I was unable to find the information I was looking for.	I was able to find some of the information needed to complete my report.	I was able to find most of the information I needed to complete my report.	I was able to find all the information I needed to complete my report with help from others.	I was able to find all the information I needed to complete my report independently.
Completion Of report	I am just beginning to understand the task. My work is incomplete.	I worked on my report but only included 4 out of 8 report questions	I completed 6 out of 8 report questions	I included all required information. I included pictures but no captions.	I included all 8 report questions. My pictures had captions that described the pictures..
Presentation of report	I was unable to participate in the presentation.	I participated in the presentation but could only remember (2-3) pieces of information.	I participated in the presentation and included (4-6) pieces of information.	I participated in the presentation and included (7-8) pieces of information.	I participated in the presentation and exhibited confidence in knowledge of all the material presented.