This lesson enables students to vote for their preferred candidate in the 2008 presidential election. Tamara Weinstein, Educational Technology Specialist at The Children's School in Atlanta, GA, came up with the idea and created the original database. She intended it for her 5th grade students, but it is suitable for students in grades 5-12 (and adults). Students first research the issues to decide which candidate's views they prefer on a variety of issues, such as education, the environment and Iraq using class discussion and sources such as the following:

http://www.2008electionprocon.org

http://www.issue2008.com

http://www.votehelp.org

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/issues/index.html

Sample plots with captions are included, and if desired an e-Survey can be launched to conduct the voting using the Database Template. Click here to see the database in action on TeacherTube! This lesson was also the focus of a recent webcast which was recorded if you would like to view it. Just click "View Event Recordings" in the upper-right of the page and choose the event from May 29, 2008.

If you don't have InspireData yet, you can download a free 30-day trial of InspireData which includes over 100 databases and other resources for you to explore.

Have fun and let me know how it goes!
Rick Reynolds
rreynolds[at]inspiration.com