Day+8-10+Webquest+on+Food+Safety+in+America

** A WebQuest for 8th Grade Science ** // Designed by: // Ms. Fischer askmsfischer@gmail.com ** Introduction ** Every day we eat food. Do you ever think about where your food comes from or how safe it is? Most of us probably just take for granted that our food is safe and edible. But is it? In the past few years there have been many cases of food poisoning and bacteria outbreaks in America. How serious is this problem? Are our food regulations and food safety standards good enough or do they need to be changed? In this WebQuest, you will look at many articles and websites that critique America’s food supply and food safety. In light of all that you read, you must decide if America’s food supply is safe or not. Further, whatever your decision, you must propose ideas for improving America’s food safety in order to prevent future outbreaks. Even good systems can be improved.  In this WebQuest each //group// will be responsible for the following: · A power point presentation that presents your group’s decision and supporting information to the **Big Question**: Is America’s food supply safe and well-regulated? · Suggestions for improving America ’s food safety. In this WebQuest each //individual// will be responsible for the following:
 * Is America’s Food Supply Safe and Well-Regulated? **
 * Big Question: ** Is America’s food supply safe and well-regulated?
 * The Task **
 * Note sheets from the research you did while browsing the websites on the WebQuest

** The Process **  Your WebQuest will be graded based on the following rubric. Some grades are group grades and other grades are individual as noted below. || ** Beginning ** ** 1 ** || ** Developing ** ** 2 ** || ** Accomplished ** ** 3 ** || ** Exemplary ** ** 4 ** || ** Score ** || (Individual Grade) || Sloppy and incomplete notes with little attempt shown || Incomplete notes but shows attempt - does not fully address both sides of the argument – narrow focus || Addresses both sides of the argument but very few notes and shows little effort || Complete and accurate notes for both sides of the argument || || (Group Grade) || Sloppy and appears rushed, missing a lot of information; not all group members participate || Has all the information but sloppy and rushed presentation and not everyone participates || Neat presentation but missing some information. Everyone presents but heavily dominated by one or two group members || Neat and clear presentation; all group members contribute equally to the presentation || || (Group Grade) || Decision has no evidence to support it || Decision based on some evidence but also shows a lot of bias and opinions not based on research || Decision based on a lot of evidence but only uses supporting evidence and no effort to rebuttal opposing view points || Decision based on a lot of evidence, both supporting evidence and rebuttal against opposing views  || || Only one poorly thought out suggestion. ||  Suggestions but poorly thought out and no research evident. ||  Well-thought out and researched suggestions but infeasible  || Well-thought-out and researched suggestions – manageable and feasible || || (Individual Grade as determined by other group members) || Played around a lot and wasted a lot of work time; minimal contributions to group work and distracting presence || Minimal contributions but stayed on task; did not disrupt work but did not help much either || Participated but not individually motivated; needed prompting from group members and teacher || Individually motivated and actively participated in the WebQuest; contributed to the final presentation || || ** Conclusion ** By the end of this activity, I hope that you will have a greater appreciation for the food we eat. It is not inherently safe. Agencies work hard to protect people and keep food safe. It is a complicated process, and hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how food is regulated in America. Further, no system is perfect. America is known for safe food, yet there have been safety concerns. All systems can be improved and need to be continuously critiqued and re-evaluated. In light of this project, I hope you will know how to research controversial topics and make your own decisions based on facts. It is always important to look at multiple sources before forming an opinion. You should also be open to discussing controversial topics with others, and remember that often your opinion is not the only one that has scientific evidence to support it. It is important to always be willing to learn from others. Food is important. We need to eat to live, and I hope you have a greater appreciation for all the work that goes into keeping our food safe. ** Sources for informing you about food safety in **** America ****. ** =Videos= 1. FOX News US Salmonella outbreaks [] 2. CBS News US food safety analyzed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWJrH-UzxLc =News Articles= 1. How does food get contaminated? [] 2. How does the government respond to food borne illnesses? []
 * 1) First, you will be assigned to a team of 3 other students. You will work together to do your research and make your power point presentation.
 * 1) Once you have your group, you will begin to look at the sites provided in this WebQuest. There are links to videos and webpages that can help inform you on food safety in America . You will take notes in order to prepare you to make an educated decision on America ’s food safety and regulation. Use the note sheets attached to take notes.
 * 1) After you looked at all the sites provided, you can also look at other sites for more information if you feel that you still need more facts.
 * 1) Once you think you have enough information, you need to make a decision: Do you believe that America ’s food safety and regulations are good enough, or do they need radical changes?
 * 1) Finally, the group needs to make a power point presentation that represents the group’s decision with supporting facts cited from the WebPages provided.
 * 1) All groups will present to the class. Each group member needs to share and be ready to answer questions from the class.
 * Evaluation **
 * Notes **
 * Notes **
 * Power Point Presentation **
 * Power Point Presentation **
 * Decision **
 * Decision **
 * Suggestions for Improving Food Regulation in America ** (Group Grade) ||
 * Suggestions for Improving Food Regulation in America ** (Group Grade) ||
 * Group Work and Contribution **
 * Group Work and Contribution **

3. Information about the FDA regulation agency [] 4. How does the FDA regulate meat? []

5. How safe is America’s food supply? @http://www.foodreference.com/html/arthowsafeisourfood.html 6. An example of one food recall due to bacterial contamination @http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm206052.htm 7. The “high cost of cheap food” [] 8. Putting a price tag on food safety []

9. Congress finally gets tough on food safety []

10. Protection of food supply []

Government Agency Websites that might be helpful and/or interesting: · [] · []