"Tee Time"

Teacher Page

A WebQuest for inquiring minds
Designed by Rebecca "Captain" McLelland

 

Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Student Page

Introduction

This lesson was created as part of a Perth Amboy School District professional development and computer training workshop through ETTC in East Brunswick. 

Throughout this investigation the students will assume their assigned roles as citizens in a town meeting where wealthy investors have persuaded the city government to clear an area of town to build a golf course. They are to investigate their roles and prepare a speech in support or in rejection of the golf course. As a culminating activity, the students will present their cases in a mock council meeting. 

This lesson was designed to be used with Perth Amboy High School Biology and Marine Biology students (grades 10-12). A background knowledge of environmental pollutants is helpful, but not necessary. 

Science Standards Addressed (directly and indirectly)

• Standard 5.12: All Students Will Develop An Understanding Of The Environment As A System Of Interdependent Components Affected By Human Activity And Natural Phenomena

Descriptive Statement: Creating an awareness of the need to protect and preserve natural resources is a goal of science education. This standard calls for students to develop knowledge of environmental issues, including management of natural resources, production and use of energy, waste management, and the interdependence of ecosystems. 
 
• Standard 5.4: All Students Will Develop An Understanding Of Technology As An Application Of Scientific Principles

Descriptive Statement: Understanding the unique interdependence of science and technology is an important goal of science education. This standard is an attempt to show students how the application of scientific knowledge can be used to improve the human condition and how technological development affects the quality of life. 

1. Students be assigned a role along with others in the same area of interest 
2. Groups should be equally and fairly divided (size and motivation of members)
3. Each member will be required to attend an actual Perth Amboy Council Meeting to familiarize themselves with the process of addressing the council.
4. They can use the Internet sites provided as starting points for research, but other sources for their role may be needed. 
5. Groups can decide if they wish to have one speaker represent their group or if each member will speak on their own. 
6. They will construct a list of twenty reasons in support of or rejecting the golf course (as indicated by their role). They will have one week from the starting date to complete this part of the research. This list must be approved before the eighth day of the research time span. 
7. The speech will then be written within the following week and must be checked at least twice during that time for persuasiveness, attention to details, support/statistics and readability. 
8. As they prepare their speech for the meeting they should be reminded that it must be at least 3 minutes long, but no longer than 15 minutes for the entire group. They should have visuals available to use (flip boards, flowcharts, handouts, photos, etc.) to stress the important points of their argument. 
9. The final speech for the mock council meeting can be written on note cards or paper, or it can be memorized. All group members must have a specific role in the council meeting presentation, even if one person is the chosen speaker. In order to seem convincing the group needs to focus on sounding real, mature and educated. 

The Players: (description for students)
Environmentalists
Golf Enthusiasts
Concerned Citizens
Proponents for Urban Revitalization

The environmentalists believe that there are several ecological problems associated with the building and maintaining of this golf course, especially along Raritan Bay. In order to understand their thought process you will need to check out these web sites:

The golf enthusiasts LOVE golf, LIVE golf, and believe that having an interest in golf improves ones character. Aside from their obvious desire to have a golf course closer to home, they want to prove that golfing in Perth Amboy will provide peace and harmony, as well as an economic boom. If you are a golfer, you'll need to take your golf cart along these sites:

Concerned citizens think that building a golf course is excessive when not enough low income housing is available in town. These people want to know why the site will be made into a golf course when there are people who would benefit from low income housing along that stretch of land. You may not want to see a golf course there, but it is not for environmental reasons. You want to help out the less fortunate and feel that the golf course is a slap in the face to the people you advocate. Gain support from these sites:

The proponents for urban revitalization want something to move into that eye-sore of a neighborhood that would equal financial benefits for Perth Amboy. They believe in a simple mathematical equation: golf course = property taxes paid by golf course + jobs for local people + influx of wealthier people to the area + higher home values. To find out why, visit these online sources:

• Ask teachers to act as the council or seek out your local council to participate in the event. 
• Have the students interact with different class sections instead of with their own. This way their speeches will appear even more realistic. 
• Shorten or lengthen the time span according to your classroom needs and available resources. 

• Internet ready computer lab
• E-mail accounts for all students
• Teacher attendance at a city council meeting to understand proper procedure
• The teacher should investigate the links on this page to understand the problems associated with the proposed land use. 
• You may use other teachers to act as council members or contact your city council directly. 

1. After hearing all of the arguments, would you want a golf course in Perth Amboy? 
2. Do the advantages outweigh the dangers or inconveniences? 
3. Could your argument persuade you if you did not hold that opinion?

The issues involved in this WebQuest do not apply only to golf courses, but to any type of development. When something is built in a neighborhood, it is your civic responsibility to ask questions and have a complete understanding about who will be effected. If you believe that a project will cause more harm than good, then take a stand against it. 

Special thanks to Carol James and Middlesex County ETTC for the inspiration on designing this WebQuest.