ORGAN DONATION

AND TRANSPLANTATION

Web Quest by

Constance Williams

Columbus High School

INTRODUCTION

You have a family member who has been on kidney dialysis for years. At this point, the procedure is no longer working. Your relative’s doctor tells him that it will take a long time to receive a kidney transplant and perhaps even longer for him because he is a minority with special immunologic incompatibility concerns. Your subsequent research into organ donation and transplantation indicates that people of African American heritage constitute 26% of persons on the National Transplant Waiting List but are only 12% of actual organ donors. You find similar statistics in other minority groups. You wonder about this disparity and what you can do to improve the situation, which would ultimately benefit everyone who needs a transplant organ. You will be an informative reporter. You goal is to enlighten those less fortunate as to the organ transplant process. You can save lives!! We need you!! Good luck !

TASK

You and your group will use the Public Policy Analyst steps to investigate the problem of organ donor scarcity, especially in minority populations. Then, find an informative way to reach minority groups with information about the problem and encouragement to become organ donors.

1: You will write a typewritten letter to the public health department of at least 2 pages.

2: You will prepare a skit in your groups that can be performed in front of the class that will at a minimum of TEN minutes. This skit must be informative and deal with the problem of organ transplants. Be creative.

3: You will prepare a power point presentation of at least 6 slides that use the SIX PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST. Each slide should contain one-step form the PPA. You may use more than one slide per step.

PROCESS

1. Go to the websites listed in Resources, read and takes notes for research.

2. You will work in groups of 4 for brainstorming, sharing and support.

3. Following the Public Policy Analyst steps and complete the worksheets.

a. Define the Problem

b. Gather Evidence

c. Identify Causes

d. Evaluate Existing Policy

e. Developing Solutions

f. Select the Best Solution

You will use these worksheets to prepare your letter, skit and power point presentation. You will define the problem through selecting the best solution and complete your task.

4. Prepare one of the following presentations that can be shared with a target audience. (Please discuss with me other ideas).

a. Write a persuasive letter that can be read before the audience.

b. Write a skit that can be performed before an audience.

c. Prepare a power point presentation that can be shown before an audience.

RESOURCES

GENERAL WEB SITES

1: WWW.GOOGLE COM

2: WWW.YAHOO.COM

3: WWW.ASKJEEVES.COM

RUBRICS

LETTER

Points Possible Earned Assessment

Knowledge of subject is displayed through

The facts and information used. 5

Knowledge of the issue under discussion is

shown by the facts and information used. 5

The letter anticipates and responds to the

other side of the issue 5

4. Main idea is clearly stated. 5

5. Supporting details and information are

accurate and forceful. 5

References to sources of information are

given for emphasis and effect. 5

7. The letter sounds rational and logical. 5

The letter is effective in getting the attention

of the audience. 5

9. There are no errors in writing. 5

10. The paper is well organized. 5

Total 50

SKIT

Points Possible Earned Assessment

1. The problem is presented accurately. 5

The actors have parts important to conveying

the concepts and information. 5

The story line is interesting and helps to

present the information accurately. 5

The actions of the actors work well to help

convey the information accurately. 5

Props and/or costumes are chosen well to

support the characters and to enhance the

presentation. 5

Music and other sound effects support the

story line. 5

Dialogue supports the story line and the

presentation of the information. 5

8. The skit was rehearsed sufficiently. 5

9. The audience could easily hear and see the skit. 5

10. The skit is entertaining to the audience. 5

TOTAL 10

Marking Criteria for PowerPoint

Criteria

Points

	1	2	3	4
Organization	Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information.	Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around.	Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow.	Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.	10
Content Knowledge	Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject.	Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions.	Student is at ease with content, but fails to elaborate.	Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required)with explanations and elaboration.	10
Power Point Slides	Student displayed 2-3 slides only.	Student displayed 4 slides.	Student displayed 5 slides.	Student displayed all 6 slides.	10
Power Point Text	Text attached to 2-3 slides only.	Text attached to 4 slides	Text attached to 5 slides.	Text attached to 6 slides.	10
Delivery	Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear.	Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation.	Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly.	Student used a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms.	10
				Total---->	50

STANDARDS:

This Web quest meets the following NY State English and Science standards

English

*E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

*E2a: Produce a report of information.

*E2e: Produce a persuasive essay.

*E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

Science

*S8a: Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research.

*S7e: Communications in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.

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

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

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

*S6c: Collects and analyzes data using concepts and techniques in Mathematics Standard 4.

CONCLUSION :

This web quest and activity have been an attempt to learn the reasons why especially people of African American heritage have a low organ donor rate in the face of such a tremendous need.

We have the technology to put these organs to use. Hopefully many people who are exposed to the facts presented by the students in their presentations will change their minds and give life to someone who needs it through organ donation.

You have also seen the important need for a public policy analyst. Their reports can create new polices that can help millions.

Our next web quest will investigate heart and other transplants and we will determine if minorities have equal access to the medical technology in these areas. See you next time !!!