Investigation 4-2
Acceptable Risk

Synopsis

Students are introduced to the concept of "acceptability of risk," a term used to characterize the degree to which an individual or society is willing to tolerate the existence of an exposure that poses danger.  Each student lists three activities he/she thinks are risky but would still do and three other activities he/she thinks are risky and would not do.  Students realize it is possible for the same activity to be on both lists.  Students are then challenged to identify what it is about a particular risk that makes it acceptable or unacceptable and begin to develop a list of considerations that help them make judgments about the acceptability of risk.

Investigation Preparation Checklist

Check alignment with standards.

National or State file

Review Epidemiology Background for Module 4.

Word or PDF file

Review teacher's notes and slides:  [en espaņol:]

Copy Investigation 4-2: Epi Log Worksheet 1 for each student.  [en espaņol:]

Word or PDF file

Copy Investigation 4-2: Epi Log Worksheet 2 for each student.  [en espaņol:]

Word or PDF file

Estimated Time / Time Management

Approximately one class period.

Look For Students To:

	Identify considerations that influence the acceptability of a risk.
	Judge the acceptability of risks in terms of specific considerations.