HIGH DEATH RATE FROM INCURABLE DISEASES---- STEM CELL RESEARCH CURTAILED

Over the past decade, there have been tremendous advances in medical research. Despite these advances there are still millions of people throughout the world that suffer from incurable diseases. Research involving human stem cells promises new treatment and possible cures for many debilitating diseases and injuries including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, burns and spinal cord injuries. When President Regan died, stem cell research was brought into the spotlight. It became more prominent when Nancy Regan announced her support for this type of research. Imagine for a moment that you live with your mom and your dad left you both. You were only age five. Over the years you have grown extremely close to your mom. You came to realize that she goes out of her way to provide you with everything that you need, including food, clothing, doctors visits, family vacations, and even help with your homework at times. You suddenly noticed that your mom is having problems remembering things and during her last doctor’s visit she was told that she is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Within the next twelve months, your mom will hardly be able to recognize you as her daughter. You want to learn more about diseases of the elderly. You feel that there is a social problem that needs addressing. Not enough is being done by our government and by society to explore possible cures or to alleviate the suffering of these helpless Americans. You wonder, are the aged being discriminated against because they are old and feeble?

Out of concern for your mom’s health, your wellbeing, and also that of millions who suffer from incurable diseases, you were asked by your student council to analyze the controversy created by stem cell research. You have been asked to explore a major social problem: “Why there is a lack of in-depth research for diseases that affect the elderly.” You are also asked to stimulate public interest in this problem. Your findings will be published in your school’s news letter and will also be presented to an editor of the New York Sunday Times. If you can gain enough public support, your mom may be eligible to have a unique

procedure done in an effort to repair her failing memory. Alzheimer’s is not the only disease that requires immediate attention. There are many others!!

1. You and your partner will develop a power point presentation that will focus on a social problems created by Alzheimer’s disease and one other incurable disease/conditions that are not being fully funded and cures not fully research. You will choose from the following list.

§ Parkinson’s disease

§ Diabetes

§ Heart diseases

§ Multiple sclerosis

§ Spinal cord injuries.

§ Leukemia

§ Cystic fibrosis

2. A 5-minute presentation to your peers is required to demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

3.

Presentation should contain 15-20 slides

You will use information gained from the PPA worksheets to present your oral report. You may use illustrations, charts, graphs and pictures to present your point of view on Stem Cell Research as it relates to the conditions selected.

GOOD LUCK.

You will work in groups of TWO:

§ Use the following links to assist in completing each step. To access links, place cursor on web address and follow instruction. Once the link has been established, open the Microsoft worksheet at the bottom.

§ You will read each linked page and complete the worksheets given at the bottom of each page. You will define the problem, gather evidence, identify the causes, evaluate current policy, and then select the best solution.

You will utilize the “RESOURCE” section of the web quest and other outside text material to gain information to complete PPA worksheets and your TASK.

§ You will use these research sheets to complete your power point.

§ Step 1: Define the problem: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppas/worksheet1.doc

§

§ Step 2: Gather evidence: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppas/worksheet2.doc

§ Step 3: Identify causes: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppas/worksheet3.doc

§ Step 4: Evaluate Policy: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppas/worksheet4.doc

§ Step5: Select best solution: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppas/worksheet6.doc

You will use these PPA worksheets to complete your power point presentation and as a guideline for your oral presentation. You may use the Public Policy Analyst steps as a guide to your slides.

Use the following web sites to assist you in completing the worksheets. Each step corresponds to a worksheet.

Each site will provide information on several steps of the PPA so there will be some overlap.

Step 1 http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/news/stem_cell.shtml

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov-text/health/alzheim.htm This site provides

several additional links

http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org/WhatsNew/December_2004.htm#5

Step 2 http://alzmass.org/common_problems.htm

http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p45-alz1.html

Step 3 http://www.religeoustolerance.org/res_stem.htm

Step 4 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html

Step 5 http://www.caregiving.solution.com

Step 6 Select best solutions based on effectiveness, feasibility and cost

GENERAL WEB SITES FOR RESEARCH

1: WWW.GOOGLE.COM

2: WWW.ALTAVISTA.COM

3: WWW.ASKJEEVES.COM

Rubric for Power Point Presentation
CATEGORY	4 Excellent	3 Very Good	2 Good	1 Poor
Content Accuracy	All information provided by the student on the power point is accurate and all the requirements of the assignment have been met. (eg.PPA format)	Almost all the information provided by the student on the power point is accurate and all requirements of the assignment have been met.	Almost all of the information provided by the student on the power point is accurate and almost all of the requirements have been met.	There are several inaccuracies in the content provided by the students OR many of the requirements were not met.
Layout	The power point has an exceptionally attractive and usable layout.	The power point has an attractive and usable layout.	The power point has a usable layout, but may appear busy or boring.	The power point appears cluttered. Too much text on a single slide, confusing.
Oral Presentation	Each person participates in the presentation. Voice projection adequate with appropriate body language. Students speak clearly and address the question completely.	Each person participates in the presentation. Voice projection adequate with appropriate body language. Students speak clearly but did not clearly addressed questions completely.	One or two people participate in presentation. Voice projection adequate but inappropriate body language. Students speak clearly but did not address questions completely	Only one person participates in the presentation. Voice projection inadequate with improper body language. Student did not speak clearly and failed to address questions completely
Interest	The author has made an exceptional attempt to make the content of this power point interesting to the people for whom it is intended.	The author has tried to make the content of this power point interesting to the people for whom it is intended.	The author has put lots of information in the power point but there is little evidence that the person tried to present the information in an interesting way.	The author has provided only the minimum amount of information and has not transformed the information to make it more interesting to the audience (e.g., has only provided a list of links to the content of others).
Learning of Material	The student has an exceptional understanding of the material included in the presentation and where to find additional information. Can easily answer questions about the content and procedures used to make the power point.	The student has a good understanding of the material included in the power point. Can easily answer questions about the content and procedures used to make the power point.	The student has a fair understanding of the material included in the power point. Can easily answer most questions about the content and procedures used to make the power point.	Student did not appear to learn much from this project. Cannot answer most questions about the content and the procedures used to make the power point.

Total Possible Points: 20 Total Points Earned: ____

GRADING A= 18-20 B=15-17 C= 10-14 F=BELOW 10

S8: Scientific Investigation

c. Demonstrates scientific competence by completing a design.

d. Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research

S7: Scientific Communication

d. Explains a scientific concept or procedure to other students.

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

S5 Scientific Thinking

c. Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanations, and

models
e. Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the

accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

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

Upon completion of this project you should have a clear understanding of the problems created by incurable diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, leukemia, Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, and the hope that stem cell research brings in getting rid of some or all of these problems. You should also have a set of meaningful proposals and recommendations in order to raise public awareness, and have seen the importance of using the Public Policy Analyst in solving acute social problems. You now see how important it is to be an informed public and you realize the need for public policy analysts in our democratic society.

THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.