Action:

-Read the "questions you might want to consider" below. Brainstorm additional questions. After you do some research, you will probably come up with even more questions.

-Divide the responsibility for finding answers, doing research, and writing survey questions between group members.

-Use the links below to begin your research. Additional information can be obtained by conducting Internet searches, using print materials (books or magazines) and interviewing local experts.

-Help each other clarify confusing information. Make sure that each person in the group understands all the information

-Create your survey and give it to athletes.

-Analyze the results. This will be easier if you make a database of your survey information. Click here for more information about creating surveys and analyzing the results.

-Present your findings to the class orally. All Investigative Reporters must participate.

-Your teacher will "jigsaw" your class to create teams of three with one physician, one coach, and one investigative reporter on each team. The goal of these teams will be to produce products (newsletters, skits, web pages, posters, etc.) to educate and influence athletes, coaches, and parents. Click here to find out more about the products.

Questions you might want to consider:

-What about Korey Stringer and Eraste Autin made them special to their family, friends, coaches, and team mates?

-What other instances of heat-related illness have been in the news? Who was affected?

- What areas of the country are most affected? What groups besides athletes are at risk?

-What questions can we ask local athletes to determine their attitudes toward training in the heat? Have they ever felt pressured (by coaches, teammates, or their own desire) to keep playing even when they didn't feel well? What were their reasons for playing even after they felt ill? How aware are they that heat stroke can kill?

-What kinds of questions should we ask local coaches to determine their attitudes toward and knowledge about heat stroke prevention?

-What are the characteristics of an accurate, unbiased survey and how can we make one?

-How should we deliver our survey? Who should participate in our survey?

-What writing techniques did professional reporters use to persuade and add emotional impact to their stories about Stringer and Autin? How can we incorporate some of this style into our presentations in order to influence athletes and perhaps save lives?

-Who are some local experts who could help us obtain more information? How can we best get them to participate?

Links:

Chicago 1995 A study of the long-term effects of heat stroke on patients

Coach: Korey died for pride From the NY Daily News. How a published picture of Stringer resulted in teasing and might have influenced his decision to keep playing even when he felt ill.

Eraste Autin's Death Orlando Sentinel news story

Eraste Autin's Death (early news report) Orlando Sentinel news story

FEMA article and stats Federal Emergency Management Agency gives statistics about heat-related deaths and gives tips on how you can "beat the heat" during dangerous heat waves.

FDA article "When Summertime Gets Too Hot To Handle" Advice from

USA Today Editorial on the Deaths of Stringer and Autin Opinion piece

New York Times Editorial of the Deaths of Stringer and Autin Opinion piece

Orlando Sentinel Editorial About Stringer and Autin Opinion piece

When Is Enough Enough? Orlando Sentinel editorial

Minnesota Vikings Press Relaese About Stringer's Death

Other links are on the resources page

Other Resources:
Don't overlook the following sources of information:

• Library books
  
• Local experts (Interview a doctor in your areas who treats athletes)
  
• Other experts (Many of the web sites you will examine offer email links to doctors, trainers, and other experts. Explain your project, prepare a few intelligent questions, and send them off. Hope for a response. These people are very busy, but wouldn't it be cool to get a response from a nationally recognized expert? Make sure that your question is not something obvious that you should've easily found out by doing some basic research.