Tuskegee Study: Unethical Research, Social Justice, and Accountability
Created byDestini Williams
1 views0 downloads

Tuskegee Study: Unethical Research, Social Justice, and Accountability

Grade 7ArtMusicSocial StudiesScienceEnglishMathHealth1 days
In this project, students act as investigative journalists, using art, music, and writing to explore the ethical violations of the Tuskegee Study. They analyze the study's historical context, ethical implications, and impact on public trust in medical research. Students create timelines, PSAs, artistic pieces, and conduct trust surveys to advocate for justice, government accountability, and ethical practices in future medical research, ensuring alignment with social justice principles.
Tuskegee StudyEthical BreachesSocial JusticeGovernment AccountabilityMedical ResearchArtistic ActivismPublic Trust
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as investigative journalists, use art, music, and writing to expose the ethical breaches of the Tuskegee Study and advocate for justice and government accountability, ensuring that medical research aligns with social justice principles?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • When does scientific research become unethical?
  • How can governments be held accountable for past wrongs?
  • What is the relationship between medical research and social justice?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify and explain the ethical breaches of the Tuskegee Study.
  • Students will be able to analyze the roles and responsibilities of government in protecting its citizens, including vulnerable populations.
  • Students will be able to articulate the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.
  • Students will be able to create artistic, musical, and written works that expose injustice and advocate for accountability.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the impact of the Tuskegee Study on public trust in medical research and healthcare.
  • Students will be able to propose recommendations to prevent similar ethical breaches in future medical research.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Mysterious Package

A mysterious package arrives containing declassified documents, audio recordings, and photographs related to the Tuskegee Study. Students must analyze the contents to understand the study's premise and raise initial questions about potential ethical issues.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Tuskegee Timeline: Unethical Events Unveiled

Students will create a timeline of the Tuskegee Study, marking key events and identifying ethical breaches at each stage. They will analyze primary source documents to support their findings.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the history of the Tuskegee Study using provided and self-sourced materials.
2. Identify key events in the study (e.g., initial recruitment, withholding of treatment, etc.).
3. For each event, analyze the ethical implications based on principles of informed consent, beneficence, and non-maleficence.
4. Create a visual timeline with dates, descriptions of events, and annotations explaining the ethical breaches.
5. Include citations to primary source documents that support your analysis.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline of the Tuskegee Study with annotations identifying ethical breaches and supporting evidence from primary sources.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to identify and explain the ethical breaches of the Tuskegee Study. Standards: When does scientific research become unethical?
Activity 2

Ethics & Justice PSA: Spreading Awareness

Students will create a public service announcement (PSA) that explains the connection between medical research, ethics, and social justice, using the Tuskegee Study as a case study. They can choose the medium (video, audio, poster).

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm the key messages you want to convey about the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.
2. Research examples of effective PSAs and identify techniques that resonate with your target audience.
3. Develop a script, storyboard, or visual design for your PSA, incorporating information about the Tuskegee Study.
4. Produce your PSA using chosen medium (video, audio, poster).
5. Share your PSA with the class and reflect on its effectiveness in communicating your message.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA public service announcement (PSA) in video, audio, or poster format that effectively communicates the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice, using the Tuskegee Study as a central example.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to articulate the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice. Standard: What is the relationship between medical research and social justice?
Activity 3

Artistic Activism: Creative Justice

Students will create an artistic representation (painting, sculpture, song, poem, or play) that reflects the injustice of the Tuskegee Study and advocates for accountability. They will write an artist's statement explaining their creative choices.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a medium (painting, sculpture, song, poem, or play) to express your understanding of the Tuskegee Study and its implications.
2. Research different artistic techniques and styles that can effectively convey emotions and messages related to injustice and accountability.
3. Create your artistic piece, focusing on conveying a clear message about the ethical breaches and the need for accountability.
4. Write an artist's statement explaining your creative choices, the message you intended to convey, and how your piece relates to the Tuskegee Study.
5. Present your artwork and artist's statement to the class, explaining your creative process and the message behind your work.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original artistic, musical, or written piece inspired by the Tuskegee Study, accompanied by an artist's statement explaining the work's message and creative choices.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to create artistic, musical, and written works that expose injustice and advocate for accountability. Standards: When does scientific research become unethical? How can governments be held accountable for past wrongs? What is the relationship between medical research and social justice?
Activity 4

Trust Survey: The Tuskegee Effect

Students will conduct a survey or interview people about their trust in medical research and healthcare, considering the legacy of the Tuskegee Study. They will analyze the data and present their findings in a report.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Develop a survey or interview questions to gauge public trust in medical research and healthcare.
2. Conduct your survey or interviews with a diverse group of participants.
3. Analyze the data collected, looking for patterns and trends in trust levels.
4. Research the historical context of the Tuskegee Study and its impact on public trust, particularly within marginalized communities.
5. Write a report presenting your findings, including data analysis, historical context, and conclusions about the Tuskegee Study's impact on public trust.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research report presenting the findings of a survey or interviews on public trust in medical research and healthcare, with analysis of the Tuskegee Study's impact on trust levels.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to evaluate the impact of the Tuskegee Study on public trust in medical research and healthcare. Standards: When does scientific research become unethical? What is the relationship between medical research and social justice?
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Tuskegee Study Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Tuskegee Timeline

Focuses on the accuracy, depth, and evidentiary support of the timeline.
Criterion 1

Timeline Accuracy

Accuracy and completeness of the timeline's depiction of key events in the Tuskegee Study.

Exemplary
4 Points

Timeline is exceptionally detailed, accurate, and comprehensive, covering all major events and providing insightful context.

Proficient
3 Points

Timeline is thorough and accurate, covering most major events with sufficient context.

Developing
2 Points

Timeline is partially accurate and complete, missing some key events or lacking sufficient context.

Beginning
1 Points

Timeline is inaccurate or incomplete, missing significant events and demonstrating a lack of understanding.

Criterion 2

Ethical Analysis

Depth of analysis of ethical breaches at each stage of the Tuskegee Study.

Exemplary
4 Points

Analysis is exceptionally insightful and nuanced, demonstrating a deep understanding of ethical principles and their violation in the Tuskegee Study.

Proficient
3 Points

Analysis is thorough and well-reasoned, demonstrating a clear understanding of ethical principles and their violation.

Developing
2 Points

Analysis is basic and superficial, demonstrating a limited understanding of ethical principles and their violation.

Beginning
1 Points

Analysis is minimal or absent, demonstrating a lack of understanding of ethical principles and their violation.

Criterion 3

Evidence & Citations

Quality of evidence and citations from primary source documents.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exceptional use of primary source documents to support analysis, with impeccable citations.

Proficient
3 Points

Effective use of primary source documents to support analysis, with proper citations.

Developing
2 Points

Some use of primary source documents, but may lack sufficient support or have citation errors.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited or no use of primary source documents, with missing or incorrect citations.

Category 2

Ethics & Justice PSA

Focuses on the PSA's clarity, creativity, and technical execution.
Criterion 1

Message Clarity

Clarity and effectiveness of the PSA's message in conveying the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.

Exemplary
4 Points

PSA's message is exceptionally clear, compelling, and effectively conveys the complex relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.

Proficient
3 Points

PSA's message is clear and effectively conveys the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.

Developing
2 Points

PSA's message is somewhat unclear or incomplete in conveying the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.

Beginning
1 Points

PSA's message is unclear or fails to convey the relationship between medical research, ethics, and social justice.

Criterion 2

Creativity & Originality

Creativity and originality in the design and execution of the PSA.

Exemplary
4 Points

PSA demonstrates exceptional creativity and originality, using innovative techniques to engage the audience.

Proficient
3 Points

PSA demonstrates creativity and originality, using effective techniques to engage the audience.

Developing
2 Points

PSA demonstrates some creativity, but may lack originality or fail to fully engage the audience.

Beginning
1 Points

PSA lacks creativity and originality, failing to engage the audience effectively.

Criterion 3

Technical Quality

Technical quality of the PSA (video, audio, or poster).

Exemplary
4 Points

PSA is of exceptional technical quality, demonstrating professional-level production values.

Proficient
3 Points

PSA is of high technical quality, demonstrating competence in production.

Developing
2 Points

PSA is of acceptable technical quality, but may have some minor flaws in production.

Beginning
1 Points

PSA is of poor technical quality, with significant flaws in production that detract from the message.

Category 3

Artistic Activism

Focuses on the artistic expression, reflection, and craftsmanship.
Criterion 1

Artistic Impact

Clarity and impact of the artistic piece in conveying the injustice of the Tuskegee Study and the need for accountability.

Exemplary
4 Points

Artistic piece is exceptionally powerful and moving, conveying the injustice of the Tuskegee Study and the need for accountability with profound clarity and impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Artistic piece is impactful and clearly conveys the injustice of the Tuskegee Study and the need for accountability.

Developing
2 Points

Artistic piece conveys the injustice of the Tuskegee Study and the need for accountability, but may lack clarity or impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Artistic piece fails to convey the injustice of the Tuskegee Study or the need for accountability.

Criterion 2

Artist's Statement

Depth of reflection and insight in the artist's statement, explaining creative choices and the message conveyed.

Exemplary
4 Points

Artist's statement is exceptionally insightful and reflective, demonstrating a deep understanding of the Tuskegee Study and its implications, and providing compelling justification for creative choices.

Proficient
3 Points

Artist's statement is thoughtful and reflective, demonstrating a clear understanding of the Tuskegee Study and its implications, and providing clear justification for creative choices.

Developing
2 Points

Artist's statement is somewhat superficial or incomplete, demonstrating a limited understanding of the Tuskegee Study and its implications, and providing weak justification for creative choices.

Beginning
1 Points

Artist's statement is minimal or absent, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the Tuskegee Study and its implications, and failing to justify creative choices.

Criterion 3

Technical Skill

Technical skill and craftsmanship in the chosen artistic medium.

Exemplary
4 Points

Artistic piece demonstrates exceptional technical skill and craftsmanship, pushing the boundaries of the chosen medium.

Proficient
3 Points

Artistic piece demonstrates strong technical skill and craftsmanship, showcasing competence in the chosen medium.

Developing
2 Points

Artistic piece demonstrates basic technical skill, but may have flaws or limitations in craftsmanship.

Beginning
1 Points

Artistic piece lacks technical skill and craftsmanship, detracting from the overall message.

Category 4

Trust Survey

Focuses on the survey methodology, data analysis, and historical context.
Criterion 1

Participant Diversity

Thoroughness and diversity of the survey or interview participants.

Exemplary
4 Points

Survey or interviews include a highly diverse and representative group of participants, providing a comprehensive view of public trust.

Proficient
3 Points

Survey or interviews include a diverse group of participants, providing a broad view of public trust.

Developing
2 Points

Survey or interviews include a limited group of participants, potentially skewing the results.

Beginning
1 Points

Survey or interviews include a very limited or homogenous group of participants, providing an unrepresentative view of public trust.

Criterion 2

Data Analysis

Accuracy and depth of data analysis, identifying patterns and trends in trust levels.

Exemplary
4 Points

Data analysis is exceptionally thorough and insightful, identifying subtle patterns and trends in trust levels and providing compelling interpretations.

Proficient
3 Points

Data analysis is thorough and accurate, identifying clear patterns and trends in trust levels.

Developing
2 Points

Data analysis is basic and superficial, missing some key patterns or trends in trust levels.

Beginning
1 Points

Data analysis is minimal or inaccurate, failing to identify meaningful patterns or trends in trust levels.

Criterion 3

Historical Integration

Integration of historical context and the Tuskegee Study's impact on public trust in the research report.

Exemplary
4 Points

Research report seamlessly integrates historical context and provides a nuanced and compelling analysis of the Tuskegee Study's lasting impact on public trust.

Proficient
3 Points

Research report effectively integrates historical context and analyzes the Tuskegee Study's impact on public trust.

Developing
2 Points

Research report includes some historical context, but the analysis of the Tuskegee Study's impact on public trust is limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Research report lacks historical context and fails to adequately analyze the Tuskegee Study's impact on public trust.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of ethics in scientific research evolved throughout this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

In what ways did the creative process (art, music, writing) help you connect with the historical and ethical implications of the Tuskegee Study?

Text
Required
Question 3

To what extent do you believe governments should be held accountable for past injustices? Explain your reasoning.

Text
Required
Question 4

How has this project influenced your perspective on the relationship between medical research and social justice?

Text
Required
Question 5

What steps can individuals and institutions take to prevent similar ethical breaches from happening in the future?

Text
Required