April 29, 2024

Touchpoint 1
How Politicians’ Smiles Can Swing Voter Support

What is it?
If politicians can perfect a certain type of smile, it may help them win over voters. There is a certain type of smile that conveys approachability. A smile that conveys joy can actually anger voters.

Potential message to students:
Do you think politicians like Biden and Trump actually practice how to smile? Do you believe a certain type of smile is more welcoming than others? Would you practice smiling in a mirror? Do you think it would help with peers, parents, and teachers?

Touchpoint 2
New research funding awarded to assess the role of race in predicting heart disease

What is it?
Grants have been awarded to study whether people of different races get different heart disease care. The grantor actually thinks race may be a factor in diagnosis, in addition to treatment recommendations.

Potential messages to students:
Doctors use a formula, based on tests and observations, to predict if they think there is heart disease. Do you think the formula needs to be different for different races? Do you think race is a factor in heart disease or maybe it’s bias with doctors?

Touchpoint 3
Wildlife officials confirm fourth gray wolf attack in Colorado´s Grand County

What is it?
Colorado released ten wolves into the wilderness. They did it to better balance the ecosystem and to help manage other wildlife. But wolves are killing cows on ranch lands. Colorado will pay the rancher for any cow that is attacked by a wolf.

Potential message to students:
Do you think Colorado made a mistake introducing wolves? Do you think there is a reason the wolves disappeared from Colorado? Do you think wolves will get too close to humans and pose a danger?

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