Asthma in the Bronx

Created by: Ms. T. Coomaraswamy

A.E. Stevenson H.S.

PPA

Introduction:

You are a doctor working in the Bronx and you have noticed that there is a high incidence of asthma among your patients, much higher than any you have seen in other areas that you have worked. You and some of your colleagues have decided to begin doing some research on the problem throughout the area and trying to identify some of the major causes. Since you and your family live in the area you also really want to figure out some solutions to this problem. Your group plans on presenting your findings and proposed solutions to the Department of Health.

Task:

You will be working in groups of 4; all members of the group are responsible for the quality of the work and you will be graded as a whole.

Your group’s findings should be combined in a written paper, 2 pages typewritten; this paper is to be done by all groups. Your group can either give an oral presentation or make posters with the key information that they will describe to the Department of Health (the class).

You must provide a bibliography of all your sources. Don’t just copy what you find on the Internet, but use it to generate new ideas!

Remember this is meant to be fun!!!

Process:

In order to write your report for the board of health, you will follow the steps outlined below. Each step should translate into a section of your report.

1. Background information: describe the body systems involved in an asthma attack and how they are affected.

2. Define the problem. (worksheet1)

3. Gather evidence of the problem (worksheet2)

4. Find some causes for the problem (worksheet3)

5. Look at the current polices associated with the problem and list the positive and negative aspects of the polices (worksheet4)

6. Come up with NEW polices that you think will help solve the problem.(worksheet5)

7. Choose the best policy. (worksheet6)

There are links provided for most of the above steps and worksheets that your groups should fill out. Just click on the underlined words. The worksheets will not be graded, but are required for your successful completion of this project; they will serve as an outline, which will guide you through the project.

Resources:

Here are a few sites that should help you get started.

Please do your own research as well.

Remember that not all of the information on the

Internet is factual; check your sources.

Introductory articles

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

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1996/104-10/niehsnews.html

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

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

Press release and public policy

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/public/press01/pr53-806.html

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/asthma/asthma.html

http://www.transalt.org/press/testimony/020605naturalgasbuses.html

http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/oct9_2_01.htm

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

Search “findlaw.com” for more information

This site contains many graphs and valuable research information, look into all of the links.

http://www.asthma-nyc.org/publications/

http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/pdf/survey/survey-2003asthma.pdf

Research article on how adolescents with asthma feel about their disease and how that effects their behavior (advanced, don’t be too intimidated by the language just try to get the basic point)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12765323&dopt=Abstract

Picture

http://www.aaaai.org/images/photolibrary/asthmaad2.jpg

Grading Policy:

Objectives	Low Performance	Below Average	Average	Above Average	Exemplary Performance	Earned Points
Written Paper	1 point paper did not answer the questions posed, or could not be understood	2 points Paper did not address all of the points included in the process, information was inaccurate.	3 points Paper was complete but all information was not correct.	4 points All information was included and correct.	5 points Well written paper, complete information and content.
Oral Presentation or poster	1 point no information in the presentation, students could not understand the results poster does not contain relavent information.	2 points Disorganized presentation, unrehearsed and missing information poster is sloppy and missing information	3 points presentation has all the information but is not rehearsed or disorganized. poster is messy but has all required information	4 points presentation is clear and has all information poster is clear and has all information	5 points Presentation is exciting and creative and has all information Poster is creative and clear containing all information
Background Information	1 point incorrect information	2 points incomplete information	3 points complete information	4 points description of both the body system and the disease	5 points complete description of the body system and disease
defining the problem	1 point incorrect problem identified	2 points problem not clearly defined	3 points problem defined	4 points problem clearly defined	5 points problem understood and clearly defined
Evidence	1 point no evidence sited	2 points causes instead of evidence sited	3 points 1 form of evidence sited	4 points 2 forms of evidence sited	5 points 3 forms of evidence sited
Causes	1 point no causes sited	2 points incorrect causes sited	3 points one cause sited	4 points 2 causes sited	5 points 3 causes sited
Existing policy	1 point no existing policies sited	2 points no relevant policies sited	3 points 1 policy sited	4 points 2 policies sited	5 points 3policies sited
new policy	1 point no new policy	2 points existing policy sited as new	3 points new policy	4 points feasible policy created	5 points affordable and feasible policy created
Group work	1 point work not divided equally, members not participating	2 points work not shared by all members, some members did work for the others	3 points all members contributed somewhat to project	4 points group worked together and all members did their assigned work	5 points group worked together and all of the members contributed to the work. some helped where others need help
					Score:

Your grade will be figured from a total of 45. Every day late you will be losing 1 raw point. See me well in advance for help before the due date.

Conclusion:

Your completion of this web quest should provide you with the following knowledge and skills:

You should understand the causes of asthma and why the incidence of asthma in the Bronx is so high.

You should be able to suggest new approaches in policy making.

You will have learned to make convincing arguments to support your findings.

Standards:

Standard 1:    Analysis, Inquiry, and Design

Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seeks answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2:   Information Systems

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

New York City Performance Standards: Science

S2d Demonstrates an understanding of matter, energy and organization in living things.

S4c Demonstrates an understanding of health.

S4d Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of technology.

S4e Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of science.

S5a Frames questions to distinguish cause and effect; and identifies or controls variables.

S5c Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanations and models; and makes appropriate adjustments and improvements.

S5d Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers, and critiques alternative explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

S5e Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design and outcomes of investigations.

S5f Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

S6a Uses technology and tools to observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena, directly, indirectly, and remotely, with appropriate consideration of accuracy and precision.

S6d Acquires information from multiple sources.

S6e Recognizes and limits sources of bias in data.

S7a Represents data and results in multiple ways

S7b Argues from evidence.

S7c Critiques published materials.

S7d Explains a scientific concept or procedure to other students.

S7e Communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.

S8d Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research.

English Language Arts

Standard 1:   Language for Information and Understanding

Standard 2:   Language for Literary Response and Expression

Standard 3:   Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Any Questions or comments please contact me at: Tereza124@aol.com