Stockertown Sinkhole Dilemma is a science-technology-society (STS) role playing debate simulation. In this activity, learners investigate the Stockertown sinkhole issue from differing perspectives. In their investigation, they identify sinkhole causes, problems, decide who should be responsible for sinkhole repair and remediation, and determine what new polices should be created to protect the interest of homeowners.

The stakeholders included in this investigation were chosen to best represent the types of people who are involved with the Stockertown sinkhole issue. However, it is important to remind students that this issue is an open-ended problem in which the people involved are still seeking a solution.

Divide your class into groups and assign each group a stakeholder role. The students may have preferences.

Each individual or group representing a stakeholder should use the resources available to them on their designated stakeholder role Web page. Each stakeholder has access to the same background material about sinkholes. This serves to provide each learner with appropriate content background and an understanding of the issue.

Students should view the resources provided and prepare a statement indicating a long-term action plan to prevent and/or remediate sinkhole destruction. When students present their position statement they should discuss the interests of the person they are role playing and determine how that individual would vote on the issue. They complete the Position Statement Handout to help organize their argument.

Once the students have had time to review their stakeholder resources and have prepared their position statements, a debate is held in the form of a Stocketown townhall meeting. Students should support their debate statements with evidence from the resources. They should complete the Stockertown Sinkhole Assessment Sheet following the debate.

 

Back to Stakeholder's Page