Internal Achievement Standard 3.2 Integrate biological knowledge to develop informed response to a Socio-Scientific issue. 3 Credits 24/07/2019
What is a socio-scientific issue? It is one for which people hold different opinions or viewpoints. i.e. The issue will have both biological and social implications. Social Implications: Economic, ethical, cultural or environmental. Implications can be positive or negative. 24/07/2019
Warning! The issue must be contemporary (i.e. current) Should have direct relevance to New Zealand. Possible Topics: Mining for minerals/coal/rare earth metals and how it affects the biodiversity of organisms in that area. Pollution of waterways by farming practices. Use of 1080 in possum control. Use of hormonal growth promotants (HGPs) in the meat industry (livestock). Fluoridation of drinking water. Production of genetically modified crops/animals. Addition of folic acid to bread. Introducing dung beetles to process pastoral dung. 24/07/2019
Research It is important to look at both sides of the issue and not get biased (at the start). Also to look at a wide range of relevant sources. This will allow you to make an informed response and develop a personal opinion that can be supported by scientific evidence. 24/07/2019
Sources Sources can be Primary: Interviews, lectures, public meetings, unpublished reports. Secondary: Websites, journals, newspaper articles, DVDs, Social media. 24/07/2019
Log Book Keep a record of all the sources in a log book. (Include a reference list). This will be handed in with the final report. (Used to assess how you processed the integrated knowledge on your topic). 24/07/2019
The processing & Evaluation. 24/07/2019