Larry

Larry's journey...

A town meeting is a good way of teaching the environmental effects of oil consumption. Alaska's northern slope is an area very sensitive to any footprints of man. Students then select a particular member of the community and decide if they support or oppose a new oil pipeline to be built in the area.

Bloom's Taxonomy: Analyze --- Students will research the topic via the web ApplyStudents will decide on their position EvaluateStudents will look for evidence to defend their position Create---Students will create a defense of their position to present at the town meeting.

Authentic Learning Task

Real World Connections deals with problem to be solved. Student Interest (tied to a problem that has relevance). Complex problem with multiple members of town meeting having different perspectives or interests. Level of thinking consists of problem solving or striving for a consensus. Authentic products results from studying real life problems. Collaboration (students work together to solve real issues). Use of digital tools and resources (Research driven).

The Unit:

Town meeting involves interests of Inuits (native peoples) versus needs of our technological society. Topics included will include topography, environmental impacts, lessons from the Valdez disaster in Puget Sound and Disaster in the Gulf, and rights of local peoples or the bigger society.

An oil company is proposing a new pipeline to be built across the north slope to allow oil to be transported to the lower states. What are the impacts on the regions and what are the ethics involved?