WEBQUEST

ASTHMA

IN THE BRONX

By Guillermo Castro

The School for Excellence

INTRODUCTION:

Your little brother has been suffering from asthma his entire short life. He has always had trouble breathing, and for this reason could never participate in sports the way you have. You and your family have accepted this as a fact of life that could never change. Your brother would have to live with his condition for the rest of his life.

Recently, however, your family went on vacation to a resort in upstate New York. The air was clear, you recall you father commenting, and you and your family had a great time. But something strange happened there. Your little brother started playing, running, swimming, and doing all the things he never was able to do in the Bronx. Why was this happening, you asked yourself? You decided to find out what was it about the Bronx that caused your brother, as well as so many other people you know, to suffer from this disease called asthma.

TASK:

Your task in this WebQuest is to produce a three-page study that will focus on the problem of asthma in the Bronx, its scope, causes, and sources, as well as examine the public policy already in place to combat asthma. It will also include your own original public policy solutions to the problem. You will present a summary of your study to the Bronx Borough President.

PROCESS:

1. Using the websites below, research the problem of asthma in the Bronx. Summarize your findings and ideas on the following TIPS six-step Public Policy Analyst worksheets:

a. TIPS Worksheet 1 (Define the problem)

b. TIPS Worksheet 2 (Gather evidence of the problem)

c. TIPS Worksheet 3 (Identify causes of the problem)

d. TIPS Worksheet 4 (Evaluate existing public policy solutions)

e. TIPS Worksheet 5 (Develop original public policy solutions)

f. TIPS Worksheet 6 (Choose the best solution)

2. Use the worksheets to help you compose a three-page study on the problem of asthma in the Bronx. In addition to the information you have gathered, include answers to the following questions:

a. What might be considered an environmental hazard contributing to asthma in your neighborhood?

b. Is there anything that seems to be a growing problem in your neighborhood in terms of public health?

3. Prepare and oral presentation based on your three-page study. Do this by making an outline of the most important points in the study.

RESOURCES:

Use the following websites to help you in your research:

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

http://www.sneeze.com/default.sph/Gaz.class/library/libraryArticle.jsp?article_id=251048

http://www.icisnyu.org/AsthmaandAirPollution_007.html

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

http://www.insideschools.org/nv/NV_asthma_mice_may04.php

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

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/asthma/ny_asthma/ast258.htm

http://www.notmilk.com/deb/asthma.html

EVALUATION:

Rubric for Research Paper and Oral Presentation

Excellent	Satisfactory	Minimal Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Organization Student’s presentation is logical, clear and fully captivates audience interest.	Organization A student presentation is logical, clear ad somehow captivates audience interest.	Organization Student’s presentation is logical and somehow clear but not captivating.	Organization Student’s presentation is illogical and distorted.
subject knowledge Students demonstrate full subject matter and beyond.	subject knowledge Students demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.	subject knowledge Students demonstrate a little knowledge of subject matter.	subject knowledge Students do not know subject matter.
accuracy No grammatical errors.	accuracy Very few grammatical errors.	accuracy Some grammatical errors.	accuracy Too many grammatical errors that distorts the meaning of the words.

Science Standards

Standard 1: Students will use science inquiry to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Communication Arts Standards

Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis ad evaluation.

E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation

CONCLUSION:

Having completed this WebQuest, you are now an expert on the problem of asthma in the Bronx. You have come to the realization that infestations of mice, together with other waste products, are factors that contribute greatly to the prevalence of asthma in the Bronx. You have analyzed public policies already in place to combat this issue, and you have developed several public policies of your own to enhance the fight against this disease.