Environment and Human Health

plan a presentation for an upcoming Happyville Town Hall meeting.

ConFarm, a large agricultural conglomerate is seeking to buy 10,000 acres of farmland adjacent to Happyville. This request is counter to local zoning ordinances and before the request can be granted it is required that a public forum be held so that interested parties may present their points of view to the zoning board.

A public health official for the state

This official must investigate the following:

low-dose extrapolation
animal models and characteristics
thresholds, toxic substances and their effects on humans and animals
genetically modified organism; definition, pros, cons, impact on farming

A representative for a chemical company specializing in the sale of agricultural herbicides and pesticides

Please include these ideas:

types of herbicides & pesticides
effects of each type
broad versus narrow spectrum
persistence of each type in the environment
"sales pitch" - why should they be used?
a brief historical perspective

A salaried farmer for the co-op which owns ConFarm

You should be sure to make the following points:

economics of land use
compare pros and cons of large-scale and small-scale agriculture
identify the importance and usage of fertilizers on farms
are there multiple types of fertilizers?
impact of fertilizer usage on land, lakes and ground water

A local organic farmer

You should address the following interests:

biological magnification
pesticide resistance
integrated pest management
sustainable agriculture
alternatives to pesticides and herbicides

Your Presentation:

Decide as a group how to structure your presentation, and what sorts of media you wish to include in your design. While not limited to the topics above, be sure that each group member at least is responsible for the subtopics and/or points listed in each role.

Helpful Links to Start Your Research

These links have been reported by KAMSC students as helpful for their research. They are listed in no particular order.

Remember, this list is not all inclusive - it is just a starting point. You will be asked at the end of this project to report your own "top five" links to assist future KAMSC students. Please report any broken or inactive links to your teacher.