Too many deer? A public hearing
This material is replicated on a number of sites
as part of the
SERC Pedagogic Service Project
Initial Publication Date: November 13, 2009
Summary
This case recreates a public hearing to consider what to do about a deer overpopulation problem in an urban oldgrowth forest. This forest, over 200 acres, has more than 40 deer, and the deer are impacting the vegetation.
Students are assigned different roles, representing different viewpoints that were expressed at the public hearing. Other students act as meeting moderators or as expert witnesses.
By reenacting the public hearing students experience the reality of multiple perspectives and opinions, some of which have more merit than others. All of the perspectives except one were really expressed at the actual public hearing.
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Learning Goals
1: Science may be logical, but public policy is messy.
2: Experience in evaluating complex problems and identifying the best solution.
3: Understand the impacts of overpopulation.
2: Experience in evaluating complex problems and identifying the best solution.
3: Understand the impacts of overpopulation.
Context for Use
This case is good for a class of 20 or more students, since there are many roles. I often use it fairly early in my course, since it is a good ice-breaker that gets almost everyone involved. It is suitable for introductory biology-environmental studies courses or ecology courses.
Description and Teaching Materials
The NSF Case collection website has the script, and directions for utilizing it. Cut the script into pieces, and give each piece to a separate student. Ask the students to read their piece dramatically, and to imagine that this is really their perspective. Be passionate!
Note that there are several parts!
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/deer/deer.html
Ribbens, E. 2001. Too many deer! A case study in managing urban deer herds. In The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science Case Study Collection.
Note that there are several parts!
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/deer/deer.html
Ribbens, E. 2001. Too many deer! A case study in managing urban deer herds. In The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science Case Study Collection.
Teaching Notes and Tips
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/deer/deer_notes.html
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Assessment
I ask my students to write reaction papers. Which perspective was the false one, and why? What should be done about the deer herd?
References and Resources
see teaching notes http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/deer/deer_notes.html