Can We Believe This

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In this 45-minute activity, students are introduced to the problem-solving process used in Project Based Government units with a scenario involving a local politician who wants to investigate a suspicious poll conducted by a newspaper columnist. After interviewing someone playing the role of the columnist and considering how a valid public opinion survey should be conducted, students propose possible solutions to the problem. This activity teaches the basic tools of problem-solving that are used in all PBG units – analyzing an Entry Document, writing a Driving Question, listing “What We Know and “What We Need to Know,” gathering resources, and developing reasonable solutions. Students also learn that problem-solving requires good questioning skills, creative and critical thinking, and flexibility.