Environmental Health Institute – July, 2006 University of Rochester

Environmental Health Institute - July, 2006 University of Rochester Medical Center i Can’t Hear You David R. Kleehammer Brockport High School

An ear An iPod A cochlea and Pete Townsend

Environmental Health Environmental Health studies how the environment influences human health and disease

Environment Environment includes: Natural Environment Man-Made Environment Social Environment

Noise Pollution Noise pollution is a result of sources from our man-made, natural and social environment.

Personal Media Devices MP3 players, iPods, and other types of personal media devices are of particular concern

Causes of Concern MP3 players are ubiquitous and seemingly omnipresent Overuse Over-exposure Duration They are played too LOUDLY Ear buds put source of sound directly into ear opening

Effects Hearing Damage Hearing Loss

Purpose Raise student’s awareness of health risks associated with noise pollution in general and MP3 players in particular Uses a modified “jigsaw” methodology

Learning Objectives Sources of noise pollution Effects of Noise pollution Symptoms of Hearing Damage Types of Hearing Loss Physiological mechanism of hearing damage Alternatives for safe use of MP3s Persuasive Report on risks and alternatives

NY State Learning Standards Standard 4, Key Idea 1, Performance Indicator 1.2, Major Understanding 1.2d: If there is a disruption in any human system, there may be a corresponding imbalance in homeostasis

Also Standard 4, Key Idea 5: Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life Performance Indicator 5.2: Explain disease as a failure of homeostasis Major Understandings 5.2a, 5.2h, 5.2j Various Standard 1 Key Ideas, Performance Indicators and Major Understandings

Prerequisites Ability to work in small and large groups Brainstorming techniques

Procedure Class Timeline: 1-3 periods Equipment and Supplies: – Chart paper – Markers – set of articles (provided) – text

Activity Instructions Groups of 3-4 students Brainstorm “noise pollution” Categorize onto ‘cause and effects’ sheet Share responses with class until

tah dah Someone mentions iPods

iPods are banned! New Board of Education Policy: Effective immediately all MP3 style devices are banned from the all schools in our district.

The Challenge Develop a brief presentation explaining this policy to the incoming freshman class: health risks associated with MP3 players reasons why this ban is reasonable

Details In groups, read the provided articles and find justification for this ban Each group will share their presentation with the class The class will choose ONE group to be used to actually address the freshmen

Time allotted Schedule one class period for - Reading - Research - Writing Schedule one additional class period for group presentations and discussion