Problem Library

Problem Library: 116

Title Excerpt Author Discipline Length Level
“A Poem has a Life before it Gets into my Anthology?”: Manuscript Editing and Problem-Based Learning Where does the poem you read in an anthology originate? Is the copy in your anthology a good copy of that original? You . . . McKenna, Bernard English 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
A Bad Day for Sandy Dayton Designed to help nonscience majors understand forces, motion, and mechanical energy while reconstructing a rear-end auto . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (non-majors)
A Case for Classics Students who are not necessarily English majors but take sophomore level literature courses as an elective or a general . . . Kumar, Rita English 6+ Hours Intermediate (non-majors)
A Day in the Life of a World-Wide Intern There is a major crisis in the Force, and your students have now been called into active duty to serve as interns in the . . . Vadino, Nicole Sociology 3-6 hours Introductory
A Day in the Life of John Henry, Traffic Cop This problem introduces students to conservation of momentum while working through a two-dimensional automobile . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
A Letter from Dalton In this problem students must analyze mass data to test a hypothesis proposed by Dalton as a consequence of his . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1 Hour or Less Introductory (majors and non-majors)
A Missed Diagnosis “Susan presents herself to her family physician for a routine physical. During the physical examination Susan explains . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
A Pain in the Belly This problem aids students in the development of their three-dimensional understanding of abdominal anatomy, with . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Alleviating the AIDS Crisis in South Africa South Africa, along with several other Southern African countries, has among the highest HIV infection rates in the . . . Bauer, Gretchen Political Science 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Are You Sure I’ve Seen You Before? “Rachel is a 37-year-old female who works as an administrative assistant for a Fortune-500 company in downtown Chicago. . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Hosting an Exchange Student Culture and cultural understanding are crucial components of learning foreign languages. Due to classroom time . . . Fees, Joseph Foreign Languages 3-6 hours Any
An Experiment in Using Plants to Get the Lead out Phytoremediation is a technology for removing soil and groundwater contamination using plants. In this two-part problem . . . Homan, Michelle Environmental Science, Research Design 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
DNA for Dinner The use of bioengineered food in quick service restaurants is controversial. Some stakeholders believe genetic . . . Lieux, Elizabeth Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Faculty Development, Multidisciplinary, Nutrition 3-6 hours Introductory (variety of audiences)
“How Will I Know if My Students Learned What They’re Supposed to?” – Curriculum Evaluation in the NCLB Era In this problem designed for teacher education majors, students evaluate science curricula for (1) their coverage of . . . Ford, Danielle Education 6+ Hours Intermediate (majors)
An Electric Idea In this problem, students learn to describe the processes occurring in a classic metal displacement type redox reaction, . . . Lawrie, Ruth Chemistry and Biochemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (high school or college)
An Unwanted Souvenir “Ralph is a young botany professor of Swedish heritage at a Midwestern liberal arts college. Ralph, who was born in the . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Athletics Problem The Athletics Problem is one that asks students to engage in computing a correlation while simultaneously looking at . . . Chamberlin, Scott Statistics 1-3 Hours Introductory (middle grade, gifted students)
Blankley Corporation: Pension Accounting Having worked through the nine phases of the Blankley Corporation unfolding problem, students will be able to understand . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Carbohydrate Mythology Dylan has always struggled with his weight and has been told by his doctor that he needs to lose weight. A month ago . . . Benoit, Lindsay Nutrition and Dietetics 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Cebu and Woodard Leases – A PBL Unfolding Problem Having worked through the eight phases of the Cebu and Woodward unfolding PBL problem, students will be able to . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Challenges to Sustainability in the Developing World: Private Choices and Social Implications of Cotton Production in India This problem examines the challenges of achieving sustainable development in a world of unintended consequences with a . . . Duke, Joshua Environmental Science 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Cholera and the Science of Medicine Students explore the essential nature of science processes of evidence, explanation, prediction, experimentation, and . . . Donham, Richard Science Education 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
Choosing a Teaching Text: James Joyce’s Ulysses A major challenge for an instructor involves choosing the best available critical edition of a text for a class. . . . McKenna, Bernard English 6+ Hours Advanced (majors)
Choosing Books to Support Elementary Girls’ Science Learning In this problem designed for teacher education majors, students prepare a grant proposal to obtain trade books for . . . Ford, Danielle Education 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Cognitive Neuroscience Case Creation This “build a case” problem provides students with the opportunity to create their own case study from the ground up. . . . Miller, Antoinette Psychology 6+ Hours Advanced (majors)
Collaborating to Determine and Meet Student Needs Teacher candidates work in small groups for these assignments. Each group is assigned an initial student scenario. . . . Hoyle, Carol Education 6+ Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Crossed Circuits Two roommates argue about each others use of energy. Which roommate should pay a utility premium? How much extra? Watson, George Physics and Astronomy 1 Hour or Less Introductory (non-majors)
Daddy, Help! I Can’t Get out of the Pool! Tammy, a 10 year-old girl, is normally active for her age, participating in her local soccer club (playing goalie) and . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Dawn Treader Industries: Long-Term Construction Contracts Having worked through the seven stages of the Dawn Treader Industries unfolding problem, students will be able to . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Dawn’s Eight O’clock Absenteeism and tardiness can disrupt group function in PBL groups. This short text case with accompanying video . . . Harold White Problem-based Learning 1 Hour or Less Introductory (workshop participants)
Deflating Grady Grade inflation poses a problem on many campuses and is an issue familiar to faculty regardless of their discipline. . . . White, Harold Faculty Development 3-6 hours Introductory (workshop participants)
Doc, is it my heart? A 52-year-old black man presents to the emergency room with chest pains. The patient is agitated and apprehensive. He . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1-3 Hours Intermediate (non-majors)
Does Anyone Know What’s Wrong with Me? “Molly is a nineteen-year-old, multiple-time All-American pole-vaulter on her college’s track team. During the summer, . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Emotion and Memory: Bright Lights through Thick Fog Students in introductory psychology courses must gain experience with the professional literature and the methods of . . . Benander, Ruth Psychology 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
Examining & Practicing Genre & Rhetoric: Problem One–Joining the Global Union This first problem of three sets up simulations of real-world scenarios and then asks students to think and write about . . . Skutar, Claudia Composition and Rhetoric 6+ Hours Intermediate (non-majors)
Examining & Practicing Genre & Rhetoric: Problem Three–Global Economic Conference This is the third problem in a set of three. The first, by Claudia Skutar, involves students in developing a founding . . . Refaei, Brenda Composition and Rhetoric 6+ Hours Intermediate (non-majors)
Examining & Practicing Genre & Rhetoric: Problem Two–National Citizens Forum This is the second problem in a set of three that sets up simulations of real-world scenarios and then asks students to . . . Kumar, Rita Composition and Rhetoric 6+ Hours Intermediate (non-majors)
Externalities and Managing a Common Property Resource One difficulty in controlling pollution is that individuals and firms acting in their own best interest may produce . . . Duke, Joshua Food and Resource Economics 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Failed Scones A request for help comes from a mother trying to solve her daughter’s baking dilemma—flopped scones. In providing this . . . Gross, Sandra Nutrition and Dietetics 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Female Circumcision: The Flight of Kasinga Female circumcision, or female genital mutilation, affects thousands of young girls and women in more than 30 countries . . . Webber, Karen Psychology, Women’s Studies 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Fifty Miles for My Fiftieth Birthday Lincoln is a 50-year old runner who, over the past five years, has completed five one-half marathons and four marathons. . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Fire Chicken “Choi In Sung, 32-year-old male of Asian descent, presents to his family physician to seek treatment for chest pains. . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Friend, Can You Spare a Kidney for Our Son Levon? The issue of the shortage of transplantable kidneys is of growing significance and concern worldwide. In this multipart . . . Bieker, Richard Economics 6+ Hours Introductory (majors)
Gearding Construction Company: Accounting for Derivatives – Interest Rate Swaps Students who have completed the six stages of the Gearding Construction Company PBL unfolding problem will have learned . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Granny’s Hip “You stop over to visit your grandmother for your weekly visit to set out her medications for the coming week. As you . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Green’s Invasive Plant Dilemma This problem is about a state representative who becomes aware of invasive plants in his own garden. He discovers the . . . Barton, Susan Plant and Soil Sciences 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
Guide Map How do you make a map useful to a blind person? In this problem, students first decide what needs to be included on a . . . Price, Alan Paul Geography 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Harry Potter and the Walkabout “Most first year students are unfamiliar with all the opportunities and facilities that are available to them on a . . . Ross, Dorry English 6+ Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Harvest Time Danger Tom, a 36-year-old, right hand dominant male farmer, is involved in a farming accident that involves his right upper . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 6+ Hours Advanced (majors)
Homecoming Surprise This problem enables students to examine the results of soft-tissue injuries stemming from hyperflexion of the vertebral . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
I Gotta Get These Cross Countries Done! The purpose of this Problem Based Learning exercise is to deepen the participants’ understanding of the weather and . . . Robinson, Saul Aviation Science 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Internet-Certified Genius Internet-based quizzes that purport to provide quick, valid IQ scores are quite popular and most students have either . . . Karpiak, Christie Psychology 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
Partnership Formation: Urban Decay This problem is based upon the California court case: Holmes v. Lerner, 74 Cal.App.4th 442, 88 Cal.Rptr.2d 130 (1 . . . Ninassi, Susanne Business Administration 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
The Carlsons’ Dilemma This problem provides a setting in which students will be able to learn about capital budgeting concepts in a typical . . . Narayanaswamy, Canchepuram Finance 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
To Resuscitate or Not to Resuscitate? Patient rights are a basic value in healthcare. Adult patients of sound mind must be informed of their medical . . . Polich, Susan Medical Education 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
Vehicle Fatalities in Delaware This week-long, group-based activity explores policy-relevant information on vehicle fatalities in the state of . . . Sarzynski, Andrea Public Policy 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Protecting/Stealing the Trillion-Dollar Bill This problem encourages students to investigate sensor integration as part of a mechatronics course in mechanical . . . Mynderse, James Mechanical Engineering 6+ Hours Advanced (majors)
Simple Staged Problem for Introduction of PBL Process “For faculty development sessions there is often a need for a simple, staged problem that does not require investigation . . . Watson, George Faculty Development 1 Hour or Less Introductory (professors and teachers)
The Brominator In this problem, students: learn to predict formulas for the products of “metal + nonmetal” reactions using the periodic . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (science majors)
Winter Woes A series of events on a cold winter’s day are used to introduce various concepts associated with solutions, including . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Will I Ever Be Able to Run Again, Doc? Bob is a 53-year-old college professor. He is a regular runner, averaging between 25-35 miles per week. During the . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Is My Pitching Career Over? “Tom, a 53-year-old, right hand-dominant male plays on a traveling “exhibition” fast-pitch softball team. He has been a . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Why Am I Getting More Clumsy, Doc? “Marshall, a 62-year-old attorney, presented to his family physician with questions as to why he was shuffling a little . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Who Owns the Geritol Solution? The Geritol solution is based on the premise that iron availability limits primary productivity in the high-nutrient, . . . Allen, Deborah Biological Sciences 6+ Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Where is That Long-Term Debt Program for Big Moo? With this long-term debt problem, students will identify the types of evidence that they need and where they can get . . . Hansen, James Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
What Is Wrong with My Child, Doc? “Tommy, a robust seven-year-old second grader is brought to the Emergency Room after experiencing a seizure on the . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
What Is the Cause of This Swelling and Why Am I Short of Breath When I Exercise? “Joan is a corporate lawyer for a Fortune-500 company. She has been physically active her entire life.
Lately Joan has . . .
Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
What Did You Say, Doc? John Angleman, a 41-year-old machinist, complains of difficulty hearing in the right ear. In addition, his gait has been . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 6+ Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
What a Drag! Students explore the effects of air resistance on the path of a baseball. Forces acting on a baseball are identified and . . . Nowak, Edmund Physics and Astronomy 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
Watson Enterprises: Accounting for Marketable Equity Securities Watson Enterprises is a Problem-Based Learning unfolding problem designed to engage the students with the topic of . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Vance Corporation: Cash Flow Statement Having completed the four phases of the Vance Corporation PBL unfolding problem, students will be able to prepare a . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Uff Da–Why Does This Hurt, Doc? “Lars Johnson is a fledgling actor in L.A. California. He has just recently auditioned for a major part in a new . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Ubbes Company: Earnings Per Share Having worked through the six phases of the Ubbes Company unfolding PBL problem, students will have learned the . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
Tracy Lynn’s “Yellow Banana” This problem is based on an actual car accident with the names changed to protect privacy. The streets in the accident . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
To Lease or to Buy? The problem focuses on whether leasing or buying an asset is less expensive. The problem provides a setting in which . . . Narayanaswamy, Canchepuram Finance 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
The Woozy Smoker “David, a 76-year-old male with a history of heavy cigarette smoking has developed a progressive gait disorder. He . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Advanced (majors)
The Sweet Spot A frightening incident of a high school baseball pitcher being struck in the temple by a ball sets the context of this . . . Nowak, Edmund Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
The Road to Rockingham Elliott is a regional stock car racer that is hoping to make it to the Busch Racing Series and, ultimately, the NASCAR . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 6+ Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
The Restless Baby “This problem helps a student develop a three-dimensional understanding of the anatomy of the pleural cavities by . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours
The Good Life This two- to four-week problem asks students to consider the hypothesis that “money makes people happy.” Students . . . Morling, Beth Psychology 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
The First Thanksgiving Using the traditional American Thanksgiving holiday, students explore food laws and standards relating to the purchase . . . Manning, Carolyn Nutrition and Dietetics 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
The Fastest Man in the World This problem introduces students to speed and acceleration. Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
The Disgruntled Baseball Fan This problem provides an engaging introduction to descriptive statistics for students in the social and behavioral . . . Karpiak, Christie Psychology 3-6 hours Introductory (majors)
The Complaining Postal Carrier This PBL follows a patient through two visits to the outpatient department of a rural hospital. The problem presents . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours
The Complaining Husband George, a 46-year-old presents to his family physician complaining of increased clumsiness. As the students progress . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Terror in the Toilet Bowl Part 1 of the problem provides students with an opportunity (1) to learn how to derive the rate law of a mechanism from . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Teetering on the Brink of Extinction? (Or Is It Too Late?) The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of puma (Felis concolor coryi). Within the context of problems posed by . . . Donham, Richard Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
Teaching Exceptional Adolescents “Students who have special education needs spend much of their instructional time in general education classrooms. . . . Eisenman, Laura Education 6+ Hours Introductory (majors)
Taste Sensations Students become part of a business that prepares and sells flavored vinegars, infused oils, flavored pestos, and other . . . Gross, Sandra Nutrition and Dietetics 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Student Affairs Identity Crisis The course is designed for doctoral level students in the Educational Leadership program. Through a full semester . . . Tweedy, James Education 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
Street Fight Rick, a high school student, is involved in a fight in which he and two other classmates “jump” a fourth classmate . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Stormy Weather “Where will it rain? Where will it clear up? And what will the weather be like where you are? Students will not only . . . Price, Alan Paul Geography 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Spring Break: A Lesson in Circuits This case, taught in a problem-based learning format, introduces students to the topics of electricity and circuits . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Something Is Horribly Wrong, Doc, and I Am Embarrassed to Talk About It Brian is a 27-year-old-male graduate student that was injured in a rugby game approximately ten days ago. He has a . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Solving Economic Underdevelopment in the Third World You have been elected to office because you promised to solve once and for all the problem of underdevelopment in your . . . Carrion, Julio Political Science 6+ Hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Share and Share Alike This problem addresses the use of the Colorado River by various stakeholders competing for a limited amount of water. As . . . Groh, Susan Faculty Development 3-6 hours Introductory
Saving for a Rainy Day A request for help comes in from a scientifically-illiterate relative trying to choose a system for passive solar energy . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1 Hour or Less Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Roots: Exploring our Distant Ancestry While most students take a position for or against evolution, few actually understand the concept of natural selection . . . White, Harold Biological Sciences 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
Riverside’s Dilemma A town council is faced with some decisions to make centering on allowable pH limits for anticipated waste streams going . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Rice-a-Roni: A San Franciso Treat Students design the electric wiring portion of a home remodeling project. Appliance power ratings, distribution of . . . Watson, George Physics and Astronomy 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Responding to Economic Crisis in Africa This problem deals with the economic crisis currently plaguing many countries in Africa. Students explore the challenges . . . Bauer, Gretchen Political Science 6+ Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Please Don’t Tell My Parents A seventeen-year-old female presents to her local hospital’s E.R. at 7:45 in the morning on a school day. She appears . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Pass the Buffer-in A student needing to prepare a pH 7.5 buffer must decide whether an unlabeled recipe will do the job. Groh, Susan Chemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Painting the Blues The synthesis and composition of several blue pigments provide a context for exploring key ideas in stoichiometric . . . Groh, Susan Chemistry 1 Hour or Less Introductory (majors and non-majors)
Out of Control The population of Lesser Snow Geese is growing exponentially in the US and Canada. Growth curves, survivorship curves, . . . Dion, Linda Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Introductory (majors)
Organic Mystery In this problem, students learn to identify functional groups in organic molecules, learn to represent organic molecules . . . Lawrie, Ruth Chemistry and Biochemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors)
Ohio Energy Company: Accounting for Joint Ventures Having worked through the Ohio Energy Company unfolding problem, students will understand the equity method at a level . . . Cottell, Philip Accounting 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
National Film Preservation Problem One problem students face when it comes to the moving image film or television is the tendency to see those images as . . . Johnson, Bryan English 3-6 hours Advanced (majors)
My Aching Back Frank, a 39-year-old college professor, was putting dishes into his dishwasher at the end of the day when he felt a . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Mixing Carefully: “Scientific” Jello Preparation Introductory, non-major laboratory courses are perfectly suited to a PBL approach. In these courses, the main objective . . . Fornari, Marco Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Kids, Chemicals, and Cancer The problem scenario: A child in Toms River, NJ develops leukemia. Citizens in the town begin to notice what seems to be . . . Allen, Deborah Environmental Science 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors)
Job, Jobs, Jobs and Tax Cuts From late 2000 to May 2003m the US economy lost almost three million jobs. The unemployment rate that May was six . . . Long, Terry Economics 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors)
Jenna’s Wish for Breast Implants 15-year old Jenna believes that breast implants are the secret to a successful future. She has asked, and her parents . . . Webber, Karen Psychology, Women’s Studies 1-3 Hours Intermediate (majors)
It Must Be a Bad Year for My Allergies “It is an idyllic March day on the Midwestern university campus as Dr. Bob Johnston walks to his 8:00 philosophy lecture . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 1 Hour or Less Intermediate (majors and non-majors)
Is This Normal for Someone My Age? Eleanor, an 88-year-old widow and mother of two, visits RediMed late on a Sunday afternoon. Her chief complaint to the . . . Tallitsch, Robert Biological Sciences 3-6 hours Intermediate (majors)
Cookie Chemistry! The PBL (Problem Based Learning) Cookie Chemistry activity was designed for the first two class periods of General . . . Amy Greene Chemistry and Biochemistry 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors and non-majors)