Nogales High School, CA--Sophomore students in the Creation Of a Revolutionary Education academy or C.O.R.E. recently presented their research and arguments for or against the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
The students began looking at the historical use of chemical weapons in warfare in their World History class with teacher Mr. Joe Molnar guiding the research. "Students were looking for early use of chemical weapons as far back as Ancient Rome all the way to present use," said Mr. Molnar.
In their chemistry class, Mrs. Ramirez guided the students through the process of learning about the chemical make up of each chemical weapon researched. Said Mrs. Ramirez, "this wasn't just the process of labeling all of the compounds. The students had to learn about the biological and psychological and genetic consequences of using chemical weapons."
The presentation, then, required students to make an argument for or against the use of chemical weapons, including how the weapons are obtained, deployed, and why the opposition arguments were flawed. Ms. Ryan, English teacher, facilitated the argument process as students learned about rhetorical strategies, evaluating primary resources, and oral communication. "The goal was to get students to feel comfortable in front of an audience and present their information to a live audience in an engaging way," said Ms. Ryan.
Mr. Espinoza, CORE 9 biology teacher, brought the 9th grade CORE students to participate as audience members. Additionally, some parents and other guests attended. Audience members used iPads to vote on a range of criteria for each presentation. Later, the students were able to evaluate the responses and reflect upon their presentations.
Congratulations to all CORE 10 students for their hard work and success.
The students began looking at the historical use of chemical weapons in warfare in their World History class with teacher Mr. Joe Molnar guiding the research. "Students were looking for early use of chemical weapons as far back as Ancient Rome all the way to present use," said Mr. Molnar.
In their chemistry class, Mrs. Ramirez guided the students through the process of learning about the chemical make up of each chemical weapon researched. Said Mrs. Ramirez, "this wasn't just the process of labeling all of the compounds. The students had to learn about the biological and psychological and genetic consequences of using chemical weapons."
The presentation, then, required students to make an argument for or against the use of chemical weapons, including how the weapons are obtained, deployed, and why the opposition arguments were flawed. Ms. Ryan, English teacher, facilitated the argument process as students learned about rhetorical strategies, evaluating primary resources, and oral communication. "The goal was to get students to feel comfortable in front of an audience and present their information to a live audience in an engaging way," said Ms. Ryan.
Mr. Espinoza, CORE 9 biology teacher, brought the 9th grade CORE students to participate as audience members. Additionally, some parents and other guests attended. Audience members used iPads to vote on a range of criteria for each presentation. Later, the students were able to evaluate the responses and reflect upon their presentations.
Congratulations to all CORE 10 students for their hard work and success.