The Choice is Yours
A WebQuest for Grades 6-8 (Science, Health)

Designed by Marsha Lakes Matyas, Ph.D.
American Physiological Society
mmatyas@the-APS.org

Introduction
At some point in time, nearly every student is faced with the decision of whether or not to use drugs and/or alcohol. 

Alcohol is considered the oldest drug, and currently it is the most widely used drug in the world. According to the American Council on Drug Education, nearly half of all Americans over the age of 12 are consumers of alcohol. A 2000 study of American youth by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that more than half of 8th graders have used alcohol and more than 25% have been drunk. By 12th grade, more than 80% have tried alcohol and more than 60% have been drunk. 

Marijuana is not used so often and fewer teens are using it each year. According to a 1999 study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only 7 of every 100 youths use marijuana; this is lower than in 1997 (more than 9 students of every 100) and in 1998 (more than 8 students out of every 100). 

In this WebQuest, you will respond to an email from a friend who is considering whether or not to use marijuana and alcohol. Your task is to offer advice to your friend via a return email. You must use what you already know about the nervous system, including your knowledge of reflexes and reactions. You will gather additional information about the effects that marijuana and alcohol have on the human body. Your advice to your friend will be based on this information and on your personal experiences. 

Your task is to write an email back to Chris or Tanya, giving them advice about the decision they are going to make. Your advice must be based on:

• what you have learned about the nervous system, reflexes, and reactions (refer to your concept map, your experimental data, and other resources, as needed);
• what you learn from the websites provided in this WebQuest; and
• your own experiences. 

Your email will be entered into a form at the end of the WebQuest and will be posted for sharing with the class. A grading rubric is provided below. Be sure to check the rubric to make sure you have met all of the requirements for the email before you send it. 

The Process

1. First, you'll be assigned to a team of 2-3 students. 
2. Your team should decide which email they plan to answer (Chris or Tanya);
3. Both Chris and Tanya have goals for the future. Write down Chris' or Tanya's future goals at the top of a page. 
4. Below their goals, write a list or description of how their nervous system will be important in helping them achieve these goals. Be sure you are including accurate information. Use your corrected concept map and reference materials, as needed. 
5. Using the several of the web sites below, gather information on how alcohol and marijuana affect the human body. Be sure to use a Treasure Hunt Form to take notes on what you find at each site you visit. Be sure to write down the site's name and URL and to rate how accurate you believe the information is. You will turn in your Treasure Hunt Forms as part of the WebQuest. 
6. Write a draft of your email on paper or on a word processor before entering into the form. Be sure it meets all the requirements in the grading rubric. Your teacher will instruct you how to address your email. 

Evaluation
Your group will receive an overall grade for this WebQuest assignment.