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9-10
Perspectives on Canadarm
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Canadarm - A Technology Star
Canadarm - A Technology Star
Subjects
Social Studies
Science
Business Studies
Science
Business Studies
Summary
Students create a presentation based on a specific perspective about the Canadarm project.
Duration
2 lessons
Purpose
To understand the different perspectives on Canadarm and its effect on Canada's culture, industry, and international reputation
PDF
Before Exploring
Write the term “perspective” on the board or chart paper. Discuss with the students how any event can be looked at from different perspectives and ask the students for some examples from public life. Discuss that some people can think an event is positive while others can think it is negative, and a large portion of the population might be uninterested altogether. Encourage students to illustrate the discussion with their own examples.
Outline the Opportunity
Post the following list:
Marketing manager of the company that built Canadarm
Marketing manager of a competitor in the technology industry
Company shareholder of the company that built Canadarm
Company shareholder of a competitor in the technology industry
Executive of the company that built Canadarm
Executive of a competitor in the technology industry
Scientist
Engineer
Astronaut
Politician
Citizen
Anti-poverty activist
Pairs of students will choose from this list to determine the perspective from which they will complete this activity. Students divide the work of browsing all of the material on the topic Canadarm: A Technology Star on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site (clips, printed support material, and additional clips) to gather information based on their selected viewpoint, then share their findings. Using their results, pairs will prepare a report analyzing the impact of the Canadarm project from their viewpoint. Report formats can include a speech, a presentation software report, or an oral presentation with written and visual support.
Revisit and Reflect
Have students deliver their presentations to the class. The audience should make notes on the perspectives shared, noting which are positive, negative, or neutral to the Canadarm project. As a class, discuss the varying viewpoints and what solutions there might be to addressing those that are negative.
Extension
In their journals, students can respond to the following question: Does the high profile nature of a project such as Canadarm affect the way the world views Canada?
