Introduction

Young people (and older people) often have questions about their bodies. As we grow older, things change and it is normal to be concerned and to want to know more.

Task 

In this webquest you will conduct research to help you prepare a health brochure and health display for your class or school. As an extension of this activity you can ask the local health clinic or Doctor’s office to display these materials for a period of time. You will end the webquest by recording your private thoughts and reflections in your Personal Health Journals

Process and Steps

(Don't forget to take notes on your activities in this webquest. Use section 3.2 of your Personal Health Journal)

1. You begin this webquest by all students on your group reading a couple of short articles on physical changes to your body during puberty. Use Section 3.1 of Your Personal Health Journal to record your notes on these readings.
   
   

   • What is happening to my body?
   • Physical Changes during Puberty
   • Hormonal Changes during Puberty

   
   

2. All students on your group will visit four web sites to identify questions that teens normally ask about their bodies during puberty (and after) You should check out the sections of those web sites where they respond to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) to get a selection of questions from teens. You will be using these as the subject matter for your health brochure or health display.
   
   

   • www.sexualityandu.ca  (FAQs)
   • http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/question/index.html
   • http://www.planetahead.ca/ask.cfm#a
    
   • www.canadian-health-network.ca, Sexuality FAQs

   
   List the questions that are covered by the FAQ’s sections of those four web sites. Note how many sites cover those issues and take note of the answers to those questions.
   
   All members of the group will prepare a 1-2 page report listing those questions and providing a short answer to those questions in their own words.
    

3. Next, you will investigate several topics related to sexual health and your anatomy. We are going to use several web sites to prepare a sentence or short phrase describing each of the following topics relating to puberty.
   
   Without copying or cutting or pasting sentences directly from those web pages write one factual sentence for the topics below. This sentence or phrase should try to capture the most important fact, interesting aspect or powerful message to young people about that topic. Each member of your group should read about at least three of these topics and prepare the three messages. 
   
   Your report should use the reporting form for Discussing & Defining Health Topics & Terms linked to this webquest.  
   
   Here are the topics:

   General Topics
   
   Puberty – Physical Changes
   Puberty-Hormonal Changes
   Everything You wanted to know about puberty
   
   Other Topics
   
   Masturbation or “Flying Solo”
   Wet Dreams
   Fantasies
   
   Guy Topics
   
   Guide to Male Reproductive System
   Testicular Injuries
   Hernias
   Testicular Self Examination
   Why Do I Need Testicular Examinations?
   Guys Developing Breasts
   Is it Normal to get Erections?
   Is my Penis Normal?
   Varicose (Swollen) Veins in Testicles
   
   Girls Topics
   
   Periods
   Menstrual Cycle
   Guide to Female Reproductive System
   Am I still a Virgin if I use tampons?
   Changes in Vaginal Discharge
   Breast & Pelvic Exams
   Can I Make my Breasts Larger?
   Common Period Problems
   Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
   Endometriosis
   Having a Healthy Pregnancy
   How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination
   I'm 14 and I Don't Have My Period Yet. Is This Normal?
   I've Never Had My Period, So What Is This Discharge?
   My Periods Are Irregular. Is Something Wrong With Me?
   The Deal With Feminine Hygiene
   Toxic Shock Syndrome
   Why Are My Breasts Different Sizes?
   Why Are My Breasts Sore?
   
   

4. For each of the three topics they investigated, each member of the group is required to define at least five terms that are used to discuss that topic. You can use the information provided on those web sites, but you should also use the “visual thesaurus” that shows you how words and terms can be linked into mind-maps.
   
   Go to Plumb Design Visual Thesaurus, enter the terms from your topic, give the diagram a chance to search, then click on the dots within the diagram to see related terms, ideas and concepts. The software will provide scientific and other words to describe the terms and also provides a concise definition in the upper right hand corner.
    
5. Next, your group will prepare a health brochure aimed at youth, written in your own words (while still being accurate) that will inform young people about the physical changes and questions about their bodies that they will experience during puberty.
   
   Read the criteria for evaluating health brochures before beginning this task.
   
   This brochure should respond to the questions that young people most often ask about puberty and their bodies.. The brochure should also provide specific definitions or descriptions of key terms and topics. (Review your previous work during this webquest.)
   
   If you want or need to work with prepared pictures there are lots of free sources with clip art, on the web. This is just one of those web sites there you can select images. You can use legal size paper (81/2 x 14) folded thee times for your brochure. (Be sure to use “landscape” orientation for the pages and you will likely have to adjust your printer to print your brochure.)
   
   Divide up the writing, editing, layout and other work related to this brochure among the members of your group.

6. All members of your group will work together to prepare a table top health display aimed at youth, written in your own words while still being accurate, that will inform young people about the physical changes and questions about their bodies that they will experience during puberty. Read the Criteria for Student Displays before beginning this task.
   
   Seek help from your school or public librarian, the school or local community health nurse, your teacher and other sources to find pictures, diagrams, articles that can be included in your display.
    

7. Prepare a one page report summarizing and commenting on the assigned readings and activities in this webquest. Use Section 3.1 of your  Personal Health Journal stating your opinion on how well these sources have kept you informed about sexual health. Retain this page as part of the public section of your personal health journal.
    

8. Assess how well you and your group worked together by using Section 3.3 of your Personal Health Journal.

How Your Work will be Evaluated

Your report on the first assigned readings should follow the format of Section 3.1 of your Personal Health Journal. Your group report defining and describing terms will be evaluated on accuracy and completeness.  The criteria for Health Brochures will be used to evaluate your brochure. Similarly, the criteria for health displays will be used for your group’s display. You will also be marked on your summary/commentary on this webquest and on your assessment of how well you and your group participated in the webquest.

Conclusions and Extensions

As an extension of this webquest, you can distribute copies of your health brochure within your class or school, or ask the local health clinic if they would like to print and display copies in their offices. (You could also include their contact information in your brochure and display)

In further readings, you could examine these other issues that relate to puberty, changes to our bodies and our sexual health:

Why body image has such power for teens (and older people).

More on Sexual Orientation, Am I Gay? Gay or Straight: What's the Difference, Prejudice, Coming Out

Want to talk with someone about these issues? Why not call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or visit their web site. Also read these tips on how to use Hotline Information.