"Vape Escape: Science Meets Awareness"

High School Grade

Project
4 weeks

"Vape Escape: Science Meets Awareness"

LAURA ROBERTS

Purpose

This project aims to equip high school students with the knowledge and tools to critically analyze and combat the vaping epidemic through a multidisciplinary approach. Students will engage with medical professionals, addiction experts, and industry representatives to understand the health impacts of vaping and develop a campaign that educates peers and the community. Through hands-on activities, creative exhibitions, and reflective practices, students will explore the cultural influences of vaping and devise strategies to challenge its prevalence, fostering a deeper understanding of its societal implications.

Learning goals

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the health impacts of vaping by engaging with medical professionals and analyzing scientific data. They will enhance their communication skills by creating multimedia campaigns, including podcasts and short films, to educate their peers and community. Through collaboration and critical thinking, students will devise strategies to counteract social and cultural influences that promote vaping. Additionally, they will cultivate self-awareness and empathy by reflecting on personal and societal perspectives related to addiction and health.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Products

Students will create a multi-faceted anti-vaping campaign that includes a gallery of images illustrating the effects of vaping, a short film capturing personal stories and expert insights, and a podcast series featuring interviews with community partners like pulmonologists and neurologists. They will also develop an addiction resource guide that provides information and support for those seeking to quit vaping. Throughout the project, students will maintain a personal reflection journal to document their evolving understanding and emotional responses, culminating in a live podcast recording session that invites community engagement and feedback.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Sound Off Against Vaping' podcast series, where students collaborate to interview community partners, including pulmonologists, neurologists, and representatives from vaping companies. They will gather personal stories and expert insights to understand the multifaceted impact of vaping. The launch will culminate in a live recording session with audience participation, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of vaping's effects and the creation of a campaign to combat it.

Exhibition

Students will curate a multi-media exhibition showcasing their work on vaping awareness. This will include a gallery of compelling images depicting the realities and consequences of vaping, a short film created by students that highlights personal stories and expert insights, and a podcast series featuring interviews with community partners such as pulmonologists and neurologists. Additionally, students will provide resources on addiction recovery, offering a comprehensive view of vaping's impact and potential solutions. The exhibition will serve as a platform for students to engage the community and spark meaningful conversations on the topic.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Kickoff - Introduce the project by discussing the essential question: 'How does vaping impact the human body, and what can we learn from medical professionals to educate our peers?' (15 min) Sound Off Against Vaping Podcast Planning - Begin planning the podcast series by brainstorming potential community partners to interview, including pulmonologists and neurologists, and outline initial questions (30 min)	Interview Techniques Workshop - Learn effective interview techniques and practice with peers to prepare for upcoming community partner interviews (25 min) Research on Vaping Effects - Conduct initial research on the health impacts of vaping, focusing on reliable sources and data collection methods (20 min)	Community Partner Outreach - Draft and send professional emails to selected community partners, requesting interviews and participation in the podcast series (20 min) Begin Personal Reflection Journal - Create a personal reflection journal to document thoughts and emotions about vaping's impact on health and society (25 min)	Gallery of Images Brainstorm - Begin brainstorming ideas for a gallery of images illustrating the effects of vaping, focusing on impactful and informative visuals (20 min) Team Roles and Responsibilities - Assign team roles for the podcast, gallery, and research components, ensuring each student has a clear task (25 min)	Plan and Draft Podcast Script - Collaboratively plan and draft the initial script for the podcast, incorporating research findings and potential interview segments (30 min) Reflection on Week 1 - Reflect on the week's activities and progress in personal journals, noting any shifts in understanding or perspective (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Research summary on the health impacts and cultural influences of vaping. 2. Initial set of interview questions for the 'Sound Off Against Vaping' podcast series. 3. First entry in personal reflection journals documenting thoughts and emotions about vaping.
Preparation	1. Compile a list of reliable resources and articles on the health impacts of vaping for student research. 2. Arrange a guest lecture with a pulmonologist, ensuring availability and technical setup for virtual or in-person presentation. 3. Provide guidelines and templates for students to formulate interview questions for the podcast series. 4. Set up personal reflection journals, whether digital or physical, for students to regularly document their thoughts.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Research Vaping Impact - Students conduct research on the physiological impacts of vaping, using scientific studies and expert interviews to gather evidence (45 min)	Meet the Experts - Host a virtual Q&A session with a pulmonologist and neurologist to discuss findings from the previous day's research and gain deeper understanding (45 min)	Podcast Planning - Students outline and plan episodes for the 'Sound Off Against Vaping' podcast series, focusing on integrating expert insights and personal stories (45 min)	Image Gallery Development - Students begin creating a gallery of images that visually represent the consequences of vaping, using a variety of media and artistic styles (45 min)	Reflection Journal - Students write in their personal reflection journals about their evolving understanding of vaping's impact on health and society and plan a strategy for their podcast segment (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Research summary document outlining key health impacts of vaping. 2. Draft scripts for both the short film and podcast episodes. 3. Storyboard for the short film.
Preparation	1. Gather scientific articles and resources from pulmonologists and neurologists about vaping's health impacts. 2. Provide access to audio and video recording equipment for podcast and short film production. 3. Schedule peer critique sessions and provide guidelines for effective feedback. 4. Arrange interviews with community partners and prepare questions in advance. 5. Ensure availability of software for script writing and storyboarding.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Analyze Vaping Impact on Health - Examine data collected from research and community partner interviews to identify key health impacts of vaping (20 min) Podcast Recording Preparation - Finalize interview questions and set up recording equipment in preparation for podcast interviews (25 min)	Conduct Podcast Interviews - Interview community partners including pulmonologists and neurologists, gathering expert insights and personal stories (30 min) Reflection on Interviews - Reflect on insights gained from interviews in personal journals, noting new understandings and emotional responses (15 min)	Create Addiction Resource Guide Draft - Develop a draft of the resource guide detailing support options and strategies for quitting vaping (25 min) Critique and Revision Session - Review and provide feedback on the addiction resource guide, focusing on clarity and comprehensiveness (20 min)	Gallery Image Creation - Begin creating impactful images for the gallery that visually convey the effects and consequences of vaping (25 min) Short Film Storyboarding - Plan and storyboard the short film, outlining key scenes that highlight personal stories and expert insights (20 min)	Podcast Editing Workshop - Edit and compile podcast recordings, ensuring clarity and cohesion in storytelling (30 min) Reflection on Week 3 - Reflect on the week's activities, considering progress and areas for improvement in personal journals (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed storyboard for the short film 2. Draft podcast script 3. Curated gallery of images illustrating vaping consequences
Preparation	1. Schedule interview sessions with pulmonologists and neurologists 2. Prepare audio-visual equipment for recording interviews and filming 3. Gather art supplies and digital tools for creating the gallery of images 4. Set up a collaborative platform for storyboard development 5. Organize critique sessions with community partners and mentors

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Podcast Recording - Record the final episode of the 'Sound Off Against Vaping' podcast series, incorporating expert interviews and personal stories (45 min)	Gallery Installation Preparation - Prepare and finalize the installation of the image gallery, ensuring all visuals are ready for public exhibition (30 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Document final reflections on project experiences and insights gained about vaping's impact (15 min)	Short Film Screening - Screen the final cut of the student-created short film, capturing personal stories and expert insights on vaping (45 min)	Addiction Resource Guide Compilation - Compile and finalize the addiction resource guide, ensuring it is informative and supportive for those seeking help (30 min) Peer Feedback Session - Conduct a peer feedback session on the completed components of the campaign, including podcasts, gallery, and film (15 min)	Live Exhibition and Podcast Event - Host a live exhibition and podcast event, presenting the campaign to the community and engaging with audience feedback (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed short film that captures personal stories and expert insights on vaping. 2. Final podcast episode featuring interviews and reflections from community partners and students. 3. Gallery of images illustrating the effects of vaping, curated and ready for exhibition. 4. Completed addiction resource guide, ready for distribution at the exhibition event. 5. Reflection journals documenting students' personal and societal perspectives related to addiction and health.
Preparation	1. Ensure all media equipment is available and set up for recording and screening purposes. 2. Prepare exhibition space with necessary materials, including display boards, seating, and audio-visual setup. 3. Coordinate with community partners to confirm participation in the live exhibition and podcast event. 4. Organize logistical details for the exhibition event, such as invitations, event schedule, and audience engagement plan. 5. Gather all feedback from peer reviews and community partners for students to incorporate into their final revisions.