Archive:
CIF 2000 - 2001
Here you will
find archived information regarding the CIF 2000-2001 program year on
chemical and biological weapons (CBW). Use the links below to browse
the archive or contact us if you don't
see what you're looking for.
Benchmarks
on CBW
CBW Benchmark One
CBW Benchmark Two
CBW Benchmark Three
Benchmark
One
Your task will
be to learn about the nature of chemical and biological weapons. You
will investigate such things as how these weapons are manufactured,
stockpiled, and used. You will learn about who has them and who doesn't.
You will engage in activities and develop tools that will help you organize
your learning.
Objectives:
- Identify countries
1) which have the capability to manufacture chemical weapons, 2) which
maintain a stockpile of chemical weapons, and 3) which have decided
to eliminate their chemical weapons. Contrast the decisions made by
two different countries.
- Identify countries
1) which have the capability to manufacture biological weapons, 2) which
maintain a stockpile of biological weapons, and 3) which have decided
to eliminate their biological weapons. Contrast the decisions made by
two different countries.
- Describe the history
of the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare. Create a timeline
to contrast the use and effect of these weapons.
- Create a tool,
such as a database or a spreadsheet, to display the information you
have gathered above.
Suggested Activities:
1) Create a database
or a spreadsheet of chemical agents used in warfare. Include such parameters
as the physiological effects, shelf life, persistency, and other relevant
factors.
2) Create a database
or a spreadsheet of biological agents used in warfare. Include such
parameters as physiological effects, communicability, virulence, and
other relevant factors.
3) Using diaries,
newspaper reports or other source, describe one day of battle in which
chemical weapons were used.
4) Are there any
chemical companies in your area? Arrange a tour and an interview with
one of the workers.
5) Are there any
biological companies in your area? Arrange a tour and an interview with
one of the workers.
6) If you are too
distant from a working industry facility, develop a questionnaire that
you can send to a company.
7) Select and view
a movie that uses chemical or biological incidents as a main theme.
Be prepared to give a five minute presentation on your selection, separating
fact from fiction.
8) Select and read
a book that uses chemical or biological incidents as a main theme. Be
prepared to give a five minute presentation on your selection, separating
fact from fiction.
Benchmark
Two
In this Benchmark
you will consider what actions will be taken in the event of an accidental
release of chemical or biological agents or their intentional use as
weapons. You will learn how detection is done. You will learn about
local, regional, state and national response planning.
Objectives:
- If a chemical
hazard were to occur, what equipment and techniques would the experts
use to identify the agent. After identification, what actions would
be taken in response. Demonstrate your understanding to other students.
- If a biological
hazard were to occur, what equipment and techniques would the experts
use to identify the agent. After identification, what actions would
be taken in response. Demonstrate your understanding to other students.
Investigate which terrorist groups have acquired chemical or biological
weapons; identify how, why, and where.
- Investigate which
terrorist groups have used chemical or biological weapons; identify
why, how, where, and to what effect. Present your work in the form of
a chart, poster, graph, or other visual aid.
- Based on your
research develop a model for an emergency response system in your community
and describe the responsibilities of each component in that system.
Indicate where improvements might be made.
Suggested Activities:
1) Identify local
agencies that would be involved in responding to a chemical incident.
Conduct an interview to learn how a response would be carried out.
2) Identify local
agencies that would be involved in responding to a biological incident.
Conduct an interview to learn how a response would be carried out.
3) Do a survey of
local doctors and other medical professionals to learn how they handle
and dispose of biological hazards.
4) Ask local doctors
if, and how, they would recognize a case of anthrax. If they had a suspicious
sample of an unknown culture, where would they send or report it?
5) Find out what
your school's disaster plan is. Ask your principal to discuss it with
the class.
6) Arrange for a
professional to visit your class to conduct a training session on biological
or chemical hazards.
7) Investigate a
major chemical incident or accident, e.g., Bhopal, Feather River chlorine
spill. Describe what caused the occurrence. Describe the response and
the outcome.
8) Investigate an
anomalous outbreak of disease, e.g., hantavirus, plague, West Nile Virus,
E Coli. Describe what caused the occurrence. Describe the response and
the outcome.
9) Find a picture
of the protective gear worn by military and hazardous material (hazmat)
personnel. Describe each piece of equipment and its use.
Benchmark
Three
For this Benchmark
you will consider the international agreements and national laws that
affect these weapons. You will study how treaties are negotiated, ratified,
monitored, and verified.
Objectives:
- Investigate the
drafting of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Create a detailed summary
of the Convention in which you explain the strengths and weaknesses
of the Convention.
- Investigate the
drafting of the Biological Weapons Convention. Create a detailed summary
of the Convention in which you explain the strengths and weaknesses
of the Convention.
- Compare and contrast
the difficulties involved in the negotiations and ratification processes
of these two treaties. Identify and contact a professional in the field
who may be able to assist you.
- Compare and contrast
the verification provisions in each treaty.
- Add to the tool
you developed in Benchmark One to show which countries have signed and/or
ratified these treaties.
- Describe the history
of international agreements on chemical and biological agents in warfare.
Create a timeline to show the development of diplomacy in this area.
Suggested Activities:
1) Create a list
of national and international agencies that are involved in the drafting
and implementation of chemical and biological treaties.
2) Create and debate
a topic based on chemical and biological warfare.
3) There is a suspicion
that a country has recently developed a chemical weapons capacity. Conduct
a role-playing exercise in which you assemble an inspection team to
investigate this suspicion. Explain what each member will do. Develop
a timeline for your inspection.
4) You have been
asked to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations committee on one
of the major CBW treaties. Prepare an outline of your testimony.
5) Consult the OPCW
or Stimson Center website to see if there is a CWC declared facility
in your area. If there is, ask a representative of this facility how
they would prepare for a CWC inspection.
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