STUDENT MATERIALS
How should the diverse perspectives of community members influence the development of civic solutions?
“Who Cares About Water?”
In this activity, you will identify stakeholder groups who are somehow interested in water quality policies and projects. Your teacher may want you to fill out the handout below . Also, at the end of the activity, you will fill out the exit worksheet below.
“The Strengths and Limitations of Interviews”
In this activity, you will learn about the strengths and limitations of using interviews to collect stakeholder perspectives by reflecting on the nature of oral history. You will read two articles and answer corresponding questions on a handout.
“Passing Down Memories – The Importance of Oral History”
“Memory and History – What Can You Believe?”
“Oral History and Interviews” handout
“What Makes a Better Interview Question?”
In this activity, you will experiment with writing interview questions and practice distinguishing between “good” and “better” questions. Use the first document listed below during the interview simulation. The second document is a guide to writing strong interview questions.
“Interview Questions” simulation document
“Writing Interview Questions” guide
“Practicing Interview Techniques”
In this activity, you will explore and evaluate various interview techniques. Your teacher may want you to reference the following resources:
“Interview Techniques” document
“How to Do Oral History” webpage
“Choosing Interview Questions”
In this activity, you will write stakeholder interview questions and have a debate about which ones to use. First, you will use the handout listed below to come up with ideas for interview questions. Your teacher may also want you to see the provided sample questions. Following your debate, you will fill out a reflection handout.
“Great Question Debate” brainstorming handout
“Great Question Debate” sample questions
“Great Question Debate” reflection handout
“Conducting Stakeholder Interviews”
In this activity, you will interview members of your community to gather multiple stakeholder perspectives on the issue of water quality. Be sure to reference the guides below.
“Analyzing Stakeholder Interviews”
In this activity, you will analyze your stakeholder interviews using the form provided below.
“Interview Summary Analysis Form”
“Studying Stakeholder Conflicts”
In this activity, you will read articles about situations in which the needs and interests of different stakeholder groups clashed. Read your assigned articles and answer the corresponding questions in the provided packet
Articles – Set One
“Texas Bill Would Offer Tax Credits for Grocery Stores that Open in Food Deserts” – Dallas Observer
“A New Tool to Balance Clean Energy and Wildlife Habitats in Maine” – Tree Hugger
Articles – Set Two
“California Bill Calls for Violence Prevention Plan…” – LA Times
“Leaf Blower Bans Are a Win for Climate, but Small Businesses Are Struggling to Adapt” – LAist
“Commentary: Parental Leave Mandate Hurts Small Business” -San Diego Union-Tribune
“New Start Times for Chester County School District Has Parents in Heated Debate” – Fox 29
“The Surprising Downsides to Planting Trillions of Trees” – Vox