UNIT 3 Project ASSESSMENT
After you complete this project,- Assess your presentation and report based on how
clearly your information was conveyed; - Assess your presentation based on the responses from
your classmates and the evaluation criteria that your
class developed; - Assess your research and communication skills as they
developed over the course of the project. In what ways
did your skills improve?
322 MHR • Unit 3 Molecular Genetics
Cancer: Facts Versus Fiction
Background
In the fall of 2001, the sports world was stunned
to learn that the captain of the Montréal
Canadiens hockey team had been diagnosed
with stomach cancer. International news
agencies broadcast details of the planned course
of treatment while fans, celebrities, and cancer
survivors from around the world offered their
support and encouragement to the 26-year-old
athlete, Saku Koivu, shown below.Today, cancer is recognized as one of the
leading causes of death for people of all ages
across North America. The term actually
encompasses a set of diseases, each of which
involves a breakdown in the molecular
mechanisms that ordinarily control the rate of
cell division. Affected cells grow uncontrollably,
resulting in cancerous tumours that interfere with
the normal function of body tissues and organs.
Each year, hundreds of millions of dollars are
spent in Canada to support cancer research.
Advances in our understanding of the molecular
structure and function of the genetic material of
the cell have made it possible to design new and
increasingly effective treatments. Even so, it is
not always easy to separate cancer myths from
cancer realities. Is it true, for example, that
eating blueberries or tomatoes can reduce your
risk of developing cancer, or that men can get
breast cancer? Is it true that inhaling the steam
from a cup of coffee or drinking green tea can
help to prevent cancer? In this project, you will
sort fact from fiction in relation to one particular
form of cancer.Challenge
Working in a small group, research, design, and
prepare a presentation on a particular form of
cancer. Be sure to describe the molecular basis
of the cancer and the means by which it is
usually diagnosed and treated. Discuss the role
of suspected risk factors, such as exposure to
certain types of environments or mutagens. As
part of your research, interview people who
have different perspectives on the disease. You
might, for example, interview people who have
cancer, medical professionals or researchers,
and/or people who have different attitudes about
some of the ethical or social issues involved in
prevention or treatment. Your presentation may
include a variety of media and take any number
of forms, such as the following:
an audio-visual presentation to a simulated
medical conference;
a virtual tour of a research or medical facility
on a web site;
a drama you write and perform, either live or
on video;
a prepared speech; or
a simulated TV panel discussion in which one
team member plays the host and the others
function as experts.Materials
You will need to choose appropriate materials
with which to present your data. If your
presentation includes a web site, for instance,
make sure it can be viewed on the equipment
available at your school. If your plans call for an
audio-visual presentation or speech, make sure
any props or aids you use will be visible to the
entire class. If you want to include recorded
interviews, make sure you have access to good
recording and playback equipment.