Deliberations in Chemistry: Environmental Contaminants

Posted in Deliberative Pedagogy, , , ,

As part of our work with the Wabash College Chemistry Department, WDPD, Dr. Sara Drury, and Dr. Laura Wysocki have developed a deliberation focusing on how communities and states can best respond to and protect against environmental contaminants.

This deliberative activity had three parts:

  1. A class period with dialogue in small groups about the issue, using knowledge from current media accounts of communities impacted by contaminants, such as Flint, Michigan and East Chicago, Indiana.
  2. A class period of lecture, questions, and discussion on scientific concepts relating to the issue.
  3. A class period of deliberation about what can be done.  The participant guide for this day can be found here: Chemistry – Environmental Contaminants Guide

Empson reflects on the first month of WDPD experience

Posted in Fellows Friday, ,
Empson facilitates during recent deliberations

Empson facilitates during recent deliberations

by Isaac Empson

When I first started with the Wabash Democracy Fellows I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new program. I soon found out that the program has its hands on many of the events on campus and within the community. I found myself taking notes on possible solutions for the lack of affordable childcare in Montgomery County, facilitating dialogues about new medical technology, and leading discussions during Wabash’s Leadership Summit weekend about the Wabash’s Liberal Arts Plus Initiative.

I joined WDPD because I wanted to learn a rhetorical skill set and understanding that is sometimes elusive to science majors like myself. The first project I led combined this new knowledge with my science background for a discussion on genetic engineering for a Biology 101 class. The discussion was very relevant due to the advent of CRISPR gene editing technology that had been developed this year. Our team of WDPD fellows worked with Professors Amanda Ingram and Sara Drury to create a discussion framework for students that took them through case studies and proposed three different responses. The bioethics course that I had taken last semester had helped me design the guide that addressed the social implications that arose from editing a human genome. On the day of the event, I had learned that the students did not need to completely understand all technical aspects in order to begin to consider the new technology and its possible applications. People are very willing to share their opinions if they are in an environment that promotes discussion, and the deliberations that we host provide that setting.  Furthermore, providing good discussion frameworks can encourage people to learn more about topics.

WDPD has already kept me very busy this fall semester, but I am excited to be a part of some more of the events that will happen later this year. It is a very satisfying feeling when you see positive change within the community that you helped create by organizing discussions and listening to the ideas of community members. I hope that the program will continue to expand so that others can benefit from such an important service.