Science 8: Optics and the Global Distribution of Eyeglasses
Big Question
What is the relationship between human health and social well being? Is refractive eyewear a human right?
Preamble
Over the course of this unit, you will identify, defend, and carry out a personal project that addresses the unequal distribution of corrective eyewear to children globally.
Rendered Stellen chart. Graphic by Daniel P.B. Smith. CC/SA.
Identifying the Problem
Each person in your group will read or view one of the four sources below, noting the main idea and supporting points that are made. Be very sure to note important statistics. You must become an expert on your article or film in order to teach it to your group memebers.
a. "The Invention of Spectacles" by Parry Glynn. Available through Global Issues in Context.
b. "Complex Problems Simple Solutions." This video is produced by HK Media for the Helen Keller International's Child Sight program. Available on Vimeo.
c. "The Problem." Available on the website of Child Vision.
d. "Better Vision for the Poor" by Aneel Karnani, Bernard Garrette, Jordan Kassalow, & Moses Lee. Available from Canadian Points of View. Read pages 66 and 67 only.
Once you have shared the information from your document, use a big piece of chart paper to create categories under which you can group together what your group has learned. Give your chart a title.
Read the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Collaborate to answer the following question:
Is refractive eyewear a human right?
You will be asked to defend your answer to the class. Be sure to link elements of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the information you've noted on your chart.
Once you have completed the class discussion, formulate a formal problem statement with your group.
Resources for Researching Barriers to a Solution
Websites
Child Vision read the page titled "The Problem" first. Then explore the website.
Child Site a fundraising component of the Helen Keller Institute.
Focus on Vision
Toms
Vision 20 20: The Right to Sight See the page "What is Vision 2020?"
Blogs, Web Pages, Videos and Articles Available Freely Online
"Adjustable Spectacles: Seeing Clearly." Blog article on the website of the Economist.
"Better Vision for the World on a Budge." An article by Douglas Heingartner in the New York Times.
"Adjustable Eyeglasses for the Developing World." This video is available on the website of CBS.
Articles
"Better Vision for the Poor" by Aneel Karnani, Bernard Garrette, Jordan Kassalow, & Moses Lee. Available from Canadian Points of View. Read pages 66 and 67 only.
Mcneil, Donald G., Jr. "Vision: Investing in Eyeglasses in Poor Nations Would Boost International Economy." New York Times 27 Nov. 2012: D6(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
Mcneil, Donald G., Jr. "Giving: Donations for Eyeglasses in Poor Nations Are Better Than Recycling Used Pairs." New York Times 24 Apr. 2012: D6(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
Heingartner, Douglas. "Improving vision where it's most needed; 3 groups compete to help poor countries by making affordable eyeglasses." International Herald Tribune 2 Jan. 2010. Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
What is the relationship between human health and social well being? Is refractive eyewear a human right?
Preamble
Over the course of this unit, you will identify, defend, and carry out a personal project that addresses the unequal distribution of corrective eyewear to children globally.
Rendered Stellen chart. Graphic by Daniel P.B. Smith. CC/SA.
Identifying the Problem
Each person in your group will read or view one of the four sources below, noting the main idea and supporting points that are made. Be very sure to note important statistics. You must become an expert on your article or film in order to teach it to your group memebers.
a. "The Invention of Spectacles" by Parry Glynn. Available through Global Issues in Context.
b. "Complex Problems Simple Solutions." This video is produced by HK Media for the Helen Keller International's Child Sight program. Available on Vimeo.
c. "The Problem." Available on the website of Child Vision.
d. "Better Vision for the Poor" by Aneel Karnani, Bernard Garrette, Jordan Kassalow, & Moses Lee. Available from Canadian Points of View. Read pages 66 and 67 only.
Once you have shared the information from your document, use a big piece of chart paper to create categories under which you can group together what your group has learned. Give your chart a title.
Read the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Collaborate to answer the following question:
Is refractive eyewear a human right?
You will be asked to defend your answer to the class. Be sure to link elements of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the information you've noted on your chart.
Once you have completed the class discussion, formulate a formal problem statement with your group.
Resources for Researching Barriers to a Solution
Websites
Child Vision read the page titled "The Problem" first. Then explore the website.
Child Site a fundraising component of the Helen Keller Institute.
Focus on Vision
Toms
Vision 20 20: The Right to Sight See the page "What is Vision 2020?"
Blogs, Web Pages, Videos and Articles Available Freely Online
"Adjustable Spectacles: Seeing Clearly." Blog article on the website of the Economist.
"Better Vision for the World on a Budge." An article by Douglas Heingartner in the New York Times.
"Adjustable Eyeglasses for the Developing World." This video is available on the website of CBS.
Articles
"Better Vision for the Poor" by Aneel Karnani, Bernard Garrette, Jordan Kassalow, & Moses Lee. Available from Canadian Points of View. Read pages 66 and 67 only.
Mcneil, Donald G., Jr. "Vision: Investing in Eyeglasses in Poor Nations Would Boost International Economy." New York Times 27 Nov. 2012: D6(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
Mcneil, Donald G., Jr. "Giving: Donations for Eyeglasses in Poor Nations Are Better Than Recycling Used Pairs." New York Times 24 Apr. 2012: D6(L). Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
Heingartner, Douglas. "Improving vision where it's most needed; 3 groups compete to help poor countries by making affordable eyeglasses." International Herald Tribune 2 Jan. 2010. Global Issues In Context. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Available through Global Issues in Context.
