Once your group has selected a topic (see Potential Topics) , you are ready to begin your research. Each member of your research team will have a role, so that you may explore various aspects of your particular issue. Each role is outlined below:
Sociologist
Your job is to explore the issue from a societal perspective. What do most people feel? What are the different sides of the issue? Keep in mind, this is not a persuasive topic, your job is to examine all opinions and attitudes.
Lawyer
What are the current laws surrounding the issue? Do different states have different laws? Are there any thoughts on future laws regarding this topic?
Scientist
Describe and define the topic from a scientific perspective. This section is to inform others of the scientific processes and principles. Example, if your group is exploring cloning: you'll need to explain how cloning works.
Educator
Develop a list of questions to be used for a class discussion. Plan to respond and engage class with controversy and thought.
Example of discussion questions: * Do you feel that the government has a right to decide how many children a couple can have?
Do you think that parents have the right to know of medical procedures being performed on their minor children (contraception, treatment for diesease)?
Do patients who are terminally ill have the right to decide how and when they die?
Presentation and Class Discussion
Your presentation to the class should be informative, covering all the information you gained during the research phase. Use your group roles to help you delegate duties, with each person doing one section of the presentation. All information should be posted to your page on the Wiki. After you present the information that you have found, you will pose questions to the class, asking for opinions and insights from your classmates. Your presentation and discusssion should be approximately 20 minutes (half the class period)
Assessment
Your grade for this project will be based on the sum of a group + individual grade. Rubric for both is below:
Group Grading
Points
Accurately explores the science issues related to topic. Explains the procedures or capabilities within a scientific context
5
Accurately explores the current legal guidelines regarding the topic, explores possible future laws
5
Examines all sides of the issues and explores the social ramifications
5
Wiki is informative, engaging, presents information in a logical sequence and is audience appropriate
5
Presentation is sequenced and easy to follow, group members seem knowledgeable.
5
Discussion questions meaningful, class is engaged, group encourages class to examine the issue in depth by asking leading questions
5
Bibliography of all sources - to be placed on your Wiki page
5
Total
35
Individual Grade
Points
Team member shared in responsibilities
5
Team member participated in all discussions
5
Web Evaluation- each member's evaluation should be posted to your Wiki page
Objectives
For this project, you will become a member of a research team whose objectives are as follows:Once your group has selected a topic (see Potential Topics) , you are ready to begin your research. Each member of your research team will have a role, so that you may explore various aspects of your particular issue. Each role is outlined below:
Sociologist
Lawyer
Scientist
Educator
Example of discussion questions:
* Do you feel that the government has a right to decide how many children a couple can have?
Presentation and Class Discussion
Your presentation to the class should be informative, covering all the information you gained during the research phase. Use your group roles to help you delegate duties, with each person doing one section of the presentation. All information should be posted to your page on the Wiki. After you present the information that you have found, you will pose questions to the class, asking for opinions and insights from your classmates. Your presentation and discusssion should be approximately 20 minutes (half the class period)Assessment
Your grade for this project will be based on the sum of a group + individual grade. Rubric for both is below:Group Grading
Individual Grade