Christopher Columbus Awards

1. Christopher Columbus Awards Let’s do some research!

2. Christopher Columbus Awards • Let’s go over the process we need to use to approach the Christopher Columbus Awards with a sample project. We starting brainstorming possible topics for our project just a few days ago.

3. Christopher Columbus Awards Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t excited about your topic right away. Sometimes finding a good topic to research is the hardest part of your project!

4. Christopher Columbus Awards • The first thing you did was to write down a problem that you wanted to solve. For a sample problem, I started thinking about cell phones. A recent article I noticed in TIME magazine talked about a possible link between cell phone use and Brain tumors.

5. Christopher Columbus Awards Although there is no real data showing a link between cell phones and tumors, I thought it would make a good experiment to learn more about.

6. Christopher Columbus Awards • First….Describe your problem clearly and descriptively. • Next…Write down a complete sentence that clearly describes the problem your group is trying to solve. Sample Problem: Brain Tumor rates seem to be increasing, and increased cell phone usage may have something to do with this.

7. Christopher Columbus Awards • Next….Research your topic and become an expert in all things relating to your topic. Sample: Graphs and data charts showing brain tumor rates and cell phone usage rates.

8. Christopher Columbus Awards • Microwave (Cell Phone) Radiation and it’s effect on the brain at different ages.

9. Christopher Columbus Awards • When you have done your research….Brainstorm as many possible solutions as you can. Don’t just jump onto the first one that comes to mind! • Sample Solutions : • Change the way cell phones work • Have people wear hats while using cell phones • Insulate one side of the cell phone • Make a shampoo that insulates against cell phone signals • Encourage texting if the call will be short • Encourage the use of bluetooth headsets • Make sure you have a strong signal when making a call • Increase the number of cell phone towers

10. Christopher Columbus Awards • Next….Identify the most promising ideas. • Sample Solutions : • Change the way cell phones work • Have people wear hats while using cell phones • Insulate one side of the cell phone • Make a shampoo that insulates against cell phone signals • Encourage texting if the call will be short • Encourage the use of bluetooth headsets • Make sure you have a strong signal when making a call • Increase the number of cell phone towers

11. Christopher Columbus Awards • By next Friday, your group needs to be ready to share your problem and solutions with the rest of the class in a 5 minute presentation. • Now let me show you what the next stages will be…

12. Christopher Columbus Awards • Next….Identify one or more community experts who can help you with this project. • This may be a doctor / engineer / politician / etc. • Best Solutions :Design a public Awareness campaign that intends to: • Encourage texting if the call will be short • Encourage the use of bluetooth headsets • EXAMPLE: • We have a local politician to help our group prepare materials to share with the public.

13. Christopher Columbus Awards • Next….Put together your idea and test, test, test! SHOW that your idea will work! • EXAMPLE: • We had a focus group of 100 people answer a short survey about cell phone use and what they would be willing to change to stay healthier.

14. Christopher Columbus Awards • Finally….Compile all of your data, research, and testing into a final paper along with your final conclusion relating to your topic. • This is due on February 1st, 2012

15. Christopher Columbus Awards Today…. • Write your problem clearly and completely • Start to gather all data and information related to your problem. • Brainstorm MANY solutions • Have each member choose a solution to research more • Plan your presentation for next Friday.