Science

How Populations Grow -

The links in the introductory paragraph provide some useful information, but interpret the data quite differently. This is, in itself, useful ground for discussion. An experiment with e.g. breeding mice and calculating future populations is certainly worthwhile. In the human population, what factors can students identify which might result in capacity-limited growth?

Interesting creative writing can be generated from topics such as "The Woman Who Lived Forever," or "Interview with a man on his 200^th Birthday." It is also valuable for students to interview an elderly relative to record their oral history. After all, a 65 years old seems almost to have lived forever if the interviewee is 13.

Have students write to or interview a medical ethics organization in your country about their stance on this issue. Students could carry out the survey across a range of age levels to determine a broad community response. Arrange for students to speak to an organ donation recipient.

The chemical and biological processes outlined here should be related directly to classroom activities such as creating an enclosed environment, a terrarium, and observing the cyclic activities that develop.