Industry Comes To Towm
In this activity, students will reveal their attitudes toward
industry
through word association. Their perceptions of the following four industries are explored as a basis for discussion of the impact of industry on a community.
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a) Computer production
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b) Chemical manufacturing
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c) Food processing
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d) Oil refining
Objectives
Students will—
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1. Explore their attitudes toward various types of industries.
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2. Discuss their perceptions of the impact of industry on their community.
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3. Develop a list of concems to evaluate the impact of an industrial plant in the community.
Materials
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1. A descriptive comparison of the four different industries.
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2. Index cards
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3. Calculator (optional) to compute average.
Procedure
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1. Assign students to groups of four to encourage team work, greater discussion and learning.
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2. Distribute one index card to each student. Tell the student that you are going to write the word
“industry” on the chalkboard for them to copy on their index
card. Tell students to record their first reaction to the word. Their reactions may be single words, phrases or ideas. Students will complete the same task for the word,
“factory”
. Allow enough time for the students to write their responses.
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3. Ask for student volunteers to read their responses aloud for discussion. (Responses may be listed on the chalkboard).
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4. Distribute worksheet below to students for them to rate four types of industriesin terms of their impact on a community.
Remind students that they should consider the impact of the industries on the entire community. Using a show of hands, determine how many students rated each industry highest and lowest in total score. Have them report both industries in case of tie scores.
Ask each group to average their scores for each industry and record themon the worksheet provided. Poll the groups to come up with a class average for each industry.
Discuss the students’ responses to the averages, noting any differences between industry types. Ask students to explain reasons for the differences.
Emphasize the value of evidence in decision-making to the students.
(figure available in print form)
Comparing Four Industries
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¥ Chemical manufacturing: Raw materials are brought in and processed to produce plastics for a wide range of goods. Various chemicals are used as raw materials, and plastics are the products.
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¥ Computer production: Circuit boards are manufactured using special plastics, cleaners, and other materials. In order to produce the boards, raw materiais such as solvents and etching compounds are used. In each case, converting the raw material into the desired product requires the use of a variety of chemical processes.
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¥ Food processing: Raw tomatoes are brought in. These are washed, mashed, pulverized, cooked, and made into a variety of tomato products. Some chemicals are used in addition to the natural ones in the tomatoes.
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¥ Oil refinery: Crude oil comes in by pipeline and is processed to produce gasoline and other organic (carbon-containing) chemicals.